Filling The Feed Bag

[Lorraine]

Somewhere Over The Great Sea

Nicolas Desmarets, Controller-General of Commerce was specifically told by the King to conduct the meeting he is on the way to have. In most instances, this type of business was done by mid level diplomates and bureaucrats, but this time it is important that someone with the cout of Desmarets actually make the deal.

For a long time Lorraine has enjoyed the benefit of its geographical location to subsidise its own argricultural production with imports from its neighbors, but with tensions running high amonst those neighbors, diplomatically and economically, the King has made it a priority to establish alternate supply of agricultural products, which is why he has now flying west over the southern Great Sea and only a few hour from his destination.

 

[Aquitania]

Secrétariat d'Agriculture
Bordéu, Aquitania

Secretary Martin Labeau has just been informed that the Controller-General of Commerce of the Kingdom of Lorraine had just arrived and that he was being escort to the Secretary's office. This would be the first time that Labeau would actually meet Nicolas Desmarets. Though several other ranking members of other ducal secretariats have met him, it will through their observations and experiences that will be the basis of what Martin will expect from the man. With tensions growning in both Gallia and Germania, with the some of the francophone Kingdoms bickering and tensions growing between the Northern Council and the Germanic League, it is no wonder Lorraine is looking afar for a secure source to feed its people.

Aquitania has always had an extensive agricultural sector and has had very little trouble in producing more than enough for domestic use. Aquitania problem has always been developing of foreign market for the surplus. Now, with the limelight being shown on Aquitania, perhaps the fifteen minutes of fame will be enough that foreign governments, like Lorraine is doing, and businesses will give Aquitania a little more consideration.

As the door opens to allow the Contoller-General to enter the office, Martin Labeau greets him.

"Monsieur Desmarets, it is a pleasure to finally meet you. Welcome to Aquitania."

 

[Lorraine]

Secrétariat d'Agriculture
Bordéu, Aquitania

"Monsieur Secretary, the pleasure is all mine. I am very pleased that you are able to find time in your busy schedule to meet with me."

As the two men sat down, Desmarets gets right down to business.

"Monsieur, as you know there has been a great deal of...how shall I express it...quarreling among Lorraines trading partners. Though it is our hope that these disagreements remain nothing more than just that, disagreements, His Majesty, King Charles V, as well as I do, think that alternative sources of agricultural products be developed which brings me to the Grand Duchy. It is His Majesty's hope that we can negotiate and agricultural deal that will increase Aquitania's export to Lorraine, and maybe even allow Lorrainian agro-companies to do business in the Grand Duchy."

 

[Aquitania]

Secrétariat d'Agriculture
Bordéu, Aquitania

Secretary Martin Labeau was very happy to hear that the Lorrainian Controller-General was interested in an substantial increase in imports from Aquitania as the large surpluses have become more of a burden as to prevent prices, which have had a steady decline for years, production had to be cut back and more cash crops introduce. Though some of the surplus will now go to feed the Otchi, Labeau hopes that new paying customers will force an increase in non-cash crop production, bringing more farm jobs and at the same time stablize prices.

"Monsieur Desmarets, Aquitania is more than happy to provide as well as allow some agro-companies to do business in Aquitania. Though large corporate farms are not incouraged, mills and canneries would be welcomed as they will provide jobs to Aquitanians. There is one stipulation, that Templar transport companies be given preferential treatment where it come to shipping needs."

 

[Lorraine]

Secrétariat d'Agriculture
Bordéu, Aquitania

Desmarets was glad to hear that Lorrainian mills and canneries could be opened in Aquitania, he was not real thrilled with the stipulation given by Secretary Labeau about Aquitanian shipping being the preferred transport as he hoped to get some work for Lorraine's own shipping industry. Though the increased shipping would have been a feather in his cap, Desmarets' assignment was to secure the imports and anything else would have been just gravy, but perferred did not mean exclusive, so there was some wiggle room.

"I will agree to the limitations and stipulations, on the understanding that though Aquitanian shipping companies are given preferential treatment, that other companies, namely Lorrainian companies, are not excluded."

 

[Aquitania]

Secrétariat d'Agriculture
Bordéu, Aquitania

"I am sure that any overflow that Aquitania's shipping companies cannot handle or any specialized mode of shipping that Templar shippers cannot provide can be given to other companies."

 

[Lorraine]

Secrétariat d'Agriculture
Bordéu, Aquitania

"I would like to next like to discuss the possibility of Lorrainian companies establishing meat packing plants so as to ship Aquitanian beef, pork, poultry and even lamb to Lorraine."

 

[Aquitania]

Secrétariat d'Agriculture
Bordéu, Aquitania

Labeau was thought for a moment before answering the Lorrainian. Aquitania did have an abundance of livestock. The raising of beef, poultry, pork and lamb were all big business and the establishing of meat packing plants would both provide jobs for Aquitanians, but also help with distribution of meats, not only for the export market, but the domestic one as well.

"M. Desmarets, allowing Lorrainian packing plants into Aquitania would be acceptable."