Farming
All the latest news and insight on French farmers, farming and agriculture in France.
Minister backtracks on quit threat after French MPs vote to reintroduce ‘bee-harming pesticides’
France’s environment minister will remain in post despite threatening to quit after MPs backed a controversial bill reintroducing two pesticides that critics say harm bees
French farmers fear harvest fallout as heatwave kills livestock and cuts yields
France’s current heatwave is taking a toll on farmers, who are seeing livestock die and are racing against time to harvest cereals without sparking fires in the tinder-dry crops.
Protesting farmers leave Paris, but more block Toulouse airport
French farmers’ anger remains high, despite Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu’s promise of “emergency legislation before the summer”, and blockades continue on Wednesday, including at Toulouse airport.
French farming union calls for 'blockades across France' in standoff over culls
A French farming union has called for 'blockades across France' in an increasingly bitter dispute with the government over the culling of infected cattle.
'Banquet of shame': French farmers stage 'day of action' in plea for help
Tractors hit the roads across France, as farmers unions staged “a major day of action”
France strikes down return of banned bee-killing pesticide
France’s top constitutional authority has blocked a controversial law that would allow the reintroduction of a pesticide virulently opposed by environmental groups.
French anger over toxic chemical in farmers’ bill piles pressure on Macron
A student-initiated petition against a law permitting farmers to use chemical deadly to bees has sparked a grass-roots movement in France that commentators say could be a sign of people’s growing frustration with political elites.
French farmers dump manure and throw eggs in petition counter-protest
Farmers threw manure and rubbish at environmentalist party offices in south-west France in a direct-action protest against an online petition calling for the repeal of the controversial farming law known as the Loi Duplomb.
French farmers' union calls for more protests in May
The head of the largest union representing French farmers has called for more demonstrations at the end of the month, arguing the government has not kept promises made to farmers after the last round of protests.
Egg shortages reported in French supermarkets
Shoppers in French supermarkets may have reported shortages of eggs in some areas, but experts insist there’s no chance of US-style ‘eggflation’ panic here.
On trial: France's €5 billion illegal pesticide industry
As a group of French carrot farmers lose their appeal, reporting shows that France's farmers are a particular target for criminal gangs seeking to profit from an illegal market worth an estimated €5 billion.
Tomato wars - Moroccan tomatoes at centre of a French farming storm
The humble tomato has become the unlikely target of French farmers’ frustrations at the Salon de l’Agriculture in Paris.
France's agriculture show, an outlet for angry farmers
France's annual Agriculture Show has become a hotbed of protest by farmers, exasperated by low produce prices, heavy regulations and global competition, against the government they say doesn't care for them enough.
MAP: Where in rural France do farmers use the most pesticides?
The NGO Générations Futures has published data highlighting the areas of the country with the highest pesticide purchases, which, they suggest, could be the best indicator of where the chemicals are most heavily sprayed in France.
French farmers warn of Paris blockade in new ultimatum to PM
Farmers in France have threatened to "march on Paris" and "blockade" Paris on Sunday unless French Prime Minister François Bayrou agrees to meet with them.
Spain, Germany hail Mercosur deal but France and EU farmers fume
Germany and Spain hailed the conclusion of a controversial free-trade deal between the European Union and South America's Mercosur bloc while France said the deal was still unacceptable and farmers' unions expressed dismay.
French lawmakers back Macron in rejecting EU-Mercosur trade deal
French lawmakers have overwhelmingly backed President Emmanuel Macron in rejecting a free-trade deal between the EU and South America’s Mercosur bloc.
French farmers lift Spanish border blockade after talks with PM
French farmers protesting pay and conditions and a prospective EU-Latin America trade deal on Wednesday lifted a blockade on the Spanish border after an expression of support from Prime Minister Michel Barnier - although other farmer protests across France continued.
French farmers plan new nationwide protests
French farmers are planning a new wave of protests from Monday, amid fears the European Union is about to sign a major free trade deal with South American trade bloc Mercosur.
What to expect from new farmers' protests in France this week
French farmers are threatening to start another round of road blockades this week. Here is what you need to know about the proposed protests.
French farmers call for fresh protests in November
Earlier this year French farmers managed to bring large parts of the country to a standstill via roadblocks and tractor convoys - now farming unions are calling for a restart of the protests in November.
French farmers plan more roadblocks – but won’t say when
Angry French farmers are paving the way for a new set of protests including blockades and roadblocks, saying that government promises have not been fulfilled
Bad weather slashes wine harvest in France’s Jura region
Heavy rainfall, hail and mildew have ravaged most of the wine harvest in eastern France’s Jura region for this year, leaving winegrowers struggling.