French farming faces disease threat and tighter import rules

The recent arrival of lumpy skin disease (LSD) in France - with the 115th confirmed case recorded towards the end of December - has added to a string of animal health challenges affecting the country’s livestock sector. Cattle farmers have already been dealing with the emergence or return of diseases such as epizootic haemorrhagic disease (EHD) and bluetongue (BTV), while poultry producers continue to battle recurring outbreaks of avian influenza.

Together, the developments have renewed concerns about the vulnerability of French livestock systems, particularly as climate change, trade flows and animal movements increase disease risks.

Against this backdrop, the French government has announced unilateral action on food imports, aiming to protect farmers and reassure consumers amid protests over what producers describe as unfair competition.

Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu confirmed that France will suspend imports of foods containing residues of pesticides banned in the European Union. “A decree will be issued in the coming days, at the initiative of the Minister of Agriculture Annie Genevard to suspend the importation of products containing residues of substances banned in Europe: mancozeb, glufosinate, thiophanate-methyl, and carbendazim,” he wrote on social media.

According to Lecornu, the measures will affect 'avocados, mangoes, guavas, citrus fruits, grapes, and apples from South America and elsewhere”, which “will no longer be allowed to enter the country'. He added that: “Stricter controls will be carried out by a specialised team to ensure compliance with our health standards”.

Describing the move as 'a first step', Lecornu said it was intended to protect agricultural sectors and consumers while tackling 'unfair competition', calling it 'a true issue of justice and fairness for our farmers'.

Agriculture minister Annie Genevard said the tighter checks would ensure imports complied with EU standards. “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,” she said.

Genevard added that products including 'melons, apples, apricots, cherries, strawberries, grapes and potatoes' would only be sold in France if they contained no trace of banned substances, while South American imports such as avocados and mangoes would face the same requirements. “Protecting our farmers, guaranteeing the health of French people and standing up to any form of unfair competition while making sure our rules are respected - this is non-negotiable,” she said.

The move comes as French farmers protest against a proposed EU–Mercosur trade deal, arguing it could open the door to cheaper imports, produced under lower environmental and food safety standards. While trade policy remains an EU competence, France is seeking approval from the European Commission, with Genevard due to travel to Brussels to secure backing.