France has introduced a new draft law aimed at safeguarding the future of agriculture and farming to bolster national food security. The proposed regulation focuses on three key areas: simplifying the system to promote environmental practices and enforce penalties for violations, enhancing educational opportunities in agriculture, and investing in human resources.
Presented by Marc Fesneau, France’s Agriculture and Food Sovereignty Minister, the legislation is scheduled for debate in the National Assembly on May 3. Fesneau emphasized the importance of prioritizing the productive and nourishing capacity of farmers in public policies to achieve food sovereignty. He highlighted the need for generational renewal and a new cohort of individuals trained to tackle climate change and agricultural transitions.
The bill specifically targets agriculture, fishing, and aquaculture, which collectively underpin France’s food sovereignty. Efforts will include simplifying constraints and regulations that hinder agricultural competitiveness. The government aims to crack down on environmental law violations with stricter enforcement measures and penalties while expediting legal processes for new agricultural projects to provide farmers with quicker environmental compliance assessments.
Moreover, the legislation will encourage the planting of hedges to promote biodiversity in agricultural production. Training programs will be rolled out to equip individuals entering the agricultural and agri-food sectors with relevant degrees and diplomas. Over the next three years, more than 50,000 individuals and educators will receive training in support of agroecological and climatic transitions.
To ensure the continuity of farms and facilitate generational transitions, the law will offer support to aspiring farmers and those looking to enter the profession. An agricultural land investment group will also be established to attract new capital for agriculture in a controlled and secure manner.
Fesneau reiterated the strategic importance of agriculture for the nation, emphasizing the need to streamline the process for setting up, selling, or taking over farms. The goal is to create conducive conditions for agricultural activities free from conflicting directives and unnecessary regulations.
