PARIS (AP) \u2014 President Emmanuel Macron sought to defend his unpopular pension plan Saturday in an effort to show he hears concerns of farmers and other ordinary citizens at France\u2019s biggest farm fair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The pension changes meant to raise the\u00a0minimum retirement age\u00a0from 62 to 64, amid other measures, were among recurrent topics during the visit at the Paris Agricultural Fair, where Macron was scheduled to spend all day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI came here to support our farmers who are working hard, who have small pensions that we have substantially improved,\u201d Macron said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A few activists briefly shouted \u201cno to the pension plan\u201d after he had just inaugurated the event early Saturday, brandishing cardboard posters written \u201c64 years, it\u2019s dead\u201d and \u201cmetro, work, tomb.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Macron has vowed to go ahead with the reform despite a\u00a0series of strikes and protests\u00a0in the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat reform is important because it will enable us to save\u201d state pensions that all workers receive, \u201ca French treasure,\u201d Macron insisted. The system is projected to dive into deficit in the coming decade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe cannot decrease workers\u2019 purchasing power, we cannot decrease our retirees\u2019 pensions, therefore there is only one solution: working more,\u201d Macron argued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Christian Asna, a cattle raiser in southwestern France, urged Macron to deliver on his promise to raise farmers\u2019 minimum pension as part of the changes, now being discussed at parliament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Macron \u201cpromised to remove the farming special pension scheme\u201d so that farmers can benefit from the more generous mainstream workers\u2019 scheme, Asna explained. \u201cNow, farmers retire with less than 700 euros ($740) per month, and he promised us minimum 1,200 euros ($1,268) per month,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To a woman criticizing the government\u2019s pension plan as contrary to social progress, Macron answered: \u201cSocial progress is not letting farmers retire with (almost) no pension.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Later Saturday, a man could be heard shouting \u201cwe want a wealth tax to pay for pensions\u201d instead of raising the retirement age. Macron appeared to disregard the call.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Macron met for hours with beef, pork, milk producers, vintners and others in efforts to show he is paying attention to their daily concerns. He faced a few heated discussions and punctual boos \u2014 yet he was mostly welcomed with respect, sometimes applause and thank-you\u2019s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Paris Agricultural Fair, one of the world\u2019s largest farm fairs, is a popular event drawing crowds every year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Amid other areas of concern, several farmers raised their fears that a potential European trade deal with the South American bloc Mercosur would bring unfair competition to their own products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Macron insisted that he would keep opposing such a deal as long as South American producers don\u2019t respect the same environment and health standards as Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Macron also promised a plan to be better prepared for drought and to use water with caution, as some regions of France are already facing restrictions following several weeks with no significant rainfall. Last summer, France suffered its most severe drought ever recorded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In reply to an activist who abruptly asked him what he\u2019s doing about the climate, Macron answered: \u201cI\u2019m trying to move forward, to make useful things.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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