The French government announced on Sunday (4) the intensification of controls on several food imports, in an attempt to appease the concerns of farmers protesting against what they consider “unfair competition from countries with more flexible regulations”.
French farmers have been protesting one and other issues, including measures to contain a livestock disease.
Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard said the stricter controls will ensure that food from outside the European Union does not contain substances banned in food produced in the bloc.
She added that a decree will be published soon announcing the suspension of imports of some food products that are already known to contain these substances.
“Imports, regardless of their origin, must comply with our standards. France is setting an example in Europe by issuing this unprecedented decree covering more than a dozen food products,” Genevard wrote in X.
“Melons, apples, apricots, cherries, strawberries, grapes, potatoes: they will only be sold in France if they do not contain residues of these substances banned in our country. Other products from South America, such as avocados, mangoes, guavas or certain citrus fruits from other places, will only be allowed if they comply with our standards,” he declared.
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu previously stated that any imported product showing traces of these herbicides and fungicides — mancozeb, glufosinate, thiophanate-methyl and carbendazim, banned in Europe — will not be allowed in France.
Germany and Spain support the Mercosur deal, but opponents in France argue the trade deal would lead to cheap imports of South American products, particularly beef, that do not meet EU environmental and food safety standards.
“Protecting our farmers, guaranteeing the health of the French and combating any form of unfair competition, ensuring that our rules are respected, is non-negotiable. It is up to the European Commission to ensure that this is widespread. If necessary, we will do it again”, highlighted Genevard.
