Jean-Michel Lemétayer, president since 2001 of France's biggest farming union, the FNSEA, yesterday announced the surprising news that he was standing down as president of the union.
On radio station Europe 1, he explained that his decision was for 'personal reasons' and that his successor would be announced on 16 December.
Two candidates are waiting in the wings: secretary general Dominique Barrau and vice president, and number two at the FNSEA, Xavier Beuli.
