VOICED: Drought casts palls on French livestock industry

In southern France, persistent drought has severely impacted animal food supplies, reducing grass growth to half its normal levels. Farmers, already struggling with low meat prices, are forced to sell livestock due to high maintenance costs. Abattoirs are overwhelmed as they cannot meet the demand for urgent animal slaughter. The situation is reminiscent of the catastrophic 1976 drought, but potentially worse due to larger farm sizes. Occasional rain offers little relief, and farmers fear using winter feed reserves, risking another food crisis in the cold season.

What are the main reasons for the decline in animal food availability in France's South?

How has the drought affected the morale of farmers according to the text?

What actions are cattle farmers taking in response to the high costs of keeping livestock?

In what ways does the current drought compare to the catastrophic drought of 1976?

What are the potential consequences for farmers if the drought continues into the winter?