Overview
- Following a meeting with farm unions in Toulouse, Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard said Emmanuel Macron told them the agreement "as it exists today" would get a "very firm no" from France.
- Several hundred farmers, backed by FNSEA and Jeunes Agriculteurs and arriving with dozens of tractors, demonstrated in Toulouse to demand clear guarantees on trade protections.
- The European Commission adopted the draft agreement on September 3, 2025, but it still requires approval by all 27 member states, with a Council decision expected on December 19.
- Paris cites the absence of a robust safeguard clause, mirror measures and stronger border controls as reasons for rejecting the text at this stage, while unions judge current assurances insufficient.
- About 150 MEPs are moving to ask the EU Court of Justice to review the pact, a step supporters say could pause parliamentary ratification for months if the referral proceeds.