French Government Confirms Bio Agency Will Not Be Eliminated

Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard announces the agency's survival despite Senate vote, while questioning overlapping roles of bio-related organizations.

The French government has decided to retain the Agence Bio, a national platform promoting organic agriculture, following a Senate vote proposing its budgetary elimination.
Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard clarified that the government did not support the Senate's amendment to cut the agency's funding but acknowledged the need to review overlapping roles of bio-related organizations.
The Senate's January 17 vote to remove the agency's €2.9 million funding cited potential cost savings by reallocating its responsibilities to other entities like FranceAgriMer or the Agriculture Ministry itself.
The decision to preserve the agency follows strong opposition from agricultural professionals and unions, who warned of risks to France's organic farming sector and its 2027 target of 18% organic farmland.
Genevard announced plans for a roundtable discussion with stakeholders to explore ways to streamline operations and improve synergies within the organic agriculture sector.