French Lawmakers Propose Stricter Import Rules for Non-Compliant Agricultural Products

The proposed legislation aims to hold importers accountable for ensuring agricultural imports meet France's health and environmental standards.

A new bill, spearheaded by Deputy Antoine Vermorel-Marques, seeks to ban the importation of agricultural products that fail to meet French regulations, shifting accountability from retailers to importers.
The proposed law introduces penalties for non-compliance, including six months of imprisonment, fines of €150,000, and 10% of the importer's revenue.
The legislation targets products such as genetically modified cereals, meat fed with animal meal, and produce treated with banned substances like dichloropropene.
Supporters argue the bill addresses unfair competition faced by French farmers, who adhere to some of the world's strictest agricultural standards, while imported goods often bypass similar scrutiny.
The bill is scheduled for debate in the National Assembly on February 6, during a session dedicated to Republican Party proposals.