France tightens food import checks amid farmer protests
Beef imports, animal health rules at heart of farmer anger
5 January 2026
1 minute read
By: The French government said on Sunday it was tightening checks on several food imports in a bid to ease concerns of farmers who have been protesting at what they say is unfair competition from countries with looser regulations, reported Reuters.
French farmers have been protesting over a planned European trade deal with the South American Mercosur bloc, and other issues including measures to contain a livestock disease.
Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard said the tighter checks would make sure food coming from outside the EU did not include substances banned in food produced in the bloc.
A decree would be issued soon announcing the suspension of imports of some food products already known to contain those substances, she added.
"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.
"Melons, apples, apricots, cherries, strawberries, grapes, 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," she added.
Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu said earlier that any imported product showing traces of these weed and fungus killers - namely mancozeb, glufosinate, thiophanate-methyl, and carbendazim which are banned in Europe - will not be allowed in France.
Germany and Spain back the Mercosur deal, but opponents in France say the trade arrangement would lead to cheap imports of South American commodities, notably beef, that do not meet the European Union's environmental and food safety standards.
"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. It is up to the European Commission to make sure this is generalised across the board. If necessary, we will do it again," added Genevard.
