French Constitutional Council Strikes Down Key Provisions of Agricultural Law

The ruling invalidates nearly one-third of the law's articles, citing conflicts with constitutional and environmental protections.

The Conseil constitutionnel censured 14 articles entirely and partially invalidated 3 others in the Loi d’orientation agricole, adopted in February 2025.
Key provisions struck down include the principle of 'non-régression de la souveraineté alimentaire' and limits on agricultural regulations exceeding European standards.
Environmental NGOs criticized the law for weakening environmental protections, including depenalizing 'non-intentional' environmental violations, which were also censured.
The law's main principle of elevating agriculture to a 'major public interest' remains intact despite the constitutional challenges.
This decision marks the first major ruling under Richard Ferrand's presidency of the Conseil constitutionnel, highlighting tensions between agriculture and environmental priorities.