The French government on Sunday stated that it will strengthen inspections on certain food imports to address the concerns of farmers who have been protesting against unfair competition from countries with less stringent regulations.
French farmers have been protesting against a proposed European trade agreement with the South American Mercosur bloc, as well as over measures aimed at controlling livestock disease.
Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard stated that the stricter inspections would ensure that food imported from outside the EU does not contain substances prohibited in products produced within the bloc.
“Imports, regardless of from where they come in the world, must comply with our standards. France is setting an example in Europe by issuing this unprecedented decree that concerns more than a dozen food products,” wrote Genevard on X.
She also mentioned that a decree would soon be released to suspend the imports of certain food items already identified as containing those substances.
“Melons, apples, apricots, cherries, strawberries, grapes, and potatoes: they will only be on sale in France if they show no residue of these substances banned in our country. Other products from South America, such as avocados, mangos, guavas, or certain citrus fruits from elsewhere, will only be allowed in if they comply with our standards,” Genevard added.
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu previously stated that any imported product containing traces of weed and fungus killers—specifically mancozeb, glufosinate, thiophanate-methyl, and carbendazim, which are banned in Europe—will be prohibited from entering France.
Germany and Spain support the Mercosur deal, but critics in France argue that the trade agreement would bring in low-cost South American goods, particularly beef, that fail to comply with the European Union’s environmental and food safety regulations.
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