Latest update on farmer protests across France Farming unions are planning further action from next week, including the blocking of food freight
Farmers step up protest action in south-west France Farmer protest placards include the slogan: ‘Those who feed you are dying of hunger’
Farmer protests intensify in south-west France Farmers say they are ‘fed up of empty promises’ and worried how they and future generations will survive
news See where French farmer roadblocks are intensifying The protest spreads following the death of a mother and her daughter at a barricade on Tuesday
Will €3.5billion pledge be enough to secure future of French farming? Columnist Nick Inman explores why farmers are squeezed between eco transition, a dwindling workforce and the demand for cheap food
Court cancels two water ‘megabasin’ projects in western France The controversial reservoirs were ‘not associated with any real water-saving measures,’ it ruled
French theme park collects urine to be used as biostimulant It is claimed to be a cheaper alternative than the chemical solutions currently used in agriculture
How winemakers in France are reducing pesticide use Alternatives are being created, opening the doors to an increasingly organic and sustainable agriculture, writes Connexion’s regular columnist and vigneron Jonathan Hesford
Giant 3D map is being made of France using lasers The project is aimed at preventing natural disasters and identifying areas which are potentially suitable for agriculture as well as archaeological sites
France to ban chick culling and piglet castration from 2022 France will be the first country, along with Germany, to outlaw the practices, the minister for agriculture has said, in a move that will save 50million chicks a year
Organic farmers in France stage naked protest against aid cuts Workers post nude photos online to gain attention after proposed change to the EU common agricultural policy
Use of pesticides has ‘exploded’ in France in past decade A new, but controversial, study reported a 25% rise - although detractors claim the study left out a year's data
New ‘edible’ forest to be created in south-west France 60,000 trees, bushes and shrubs are to be planted to create an ecologically diverse forest in Landes, Nouvelle Aquitaine
Covid-19 confirmed at French mink farm; 1,000 slaughtered A strain of the virus was confirmed at a farm in Eure-et-Loir, with test results for a further two French farms still pending France: Virus affects melons, cucumbers and courgettes Bacteria deadly to olive trees found in southern France Mystery seeds from China sent to people in France
British birds destroying farmland crops in Brittany Jackdaws - small crows that eat corn - have caused €3 million-worth of damage to farmland crops in Côtes-d’Armor and Finistère (Brittany) in the past 10 years, according to a report. Covid-19: France calls public to help French farmers Macron speaks on farms, glyphosate, and food in France French court allows mayor pesticide ban for first time Tests on farm food near Rouen plant fire 'reassuring' Farm food ban in areas near French chemical plant fire
French department 'bans' use of glyphosate herbicide Decree issued a day after MPs began a consultation on whether to impose mandatory zones of up to 10m between treated fields and private residences
France debates mandatory 5-10 metre pesticide distance The French government is considering introducing a mandatory distance of 5-10 metres between fields treated with pesticides, and homes - but some critics say this will not go far enough to improve health.
Animal rights groups hit back as MPs attend bullfight Animal rights groups have hit back and reignited a debate over the legality of bullfighting in France after two ministers were seen attending a bullfight in the south of the country.
Green news in France - April 2019 An update on environmental events and occurrences in France: flora under threat, supermarket advertising leaflets and action on agriculture
Top tractor and machinery deals delivered to France Sponsored content: Cowling Agriculture prides itself on friendly advice and excellent aftersales service – and all at competitive prices
Independent winegrowers welcome glyphosate challenge President calls on France's winemakers to stop using herbicide within three years
Food prices set to rise as new law takes effect Law introduced to ensure a fair deal for farmers and food producers
The fruit and veg to eat to stay healthy this January Avocado, beetroot, carrot, cauliflower, clementine, and sweet potato: just some of the seasonal produce that the French agricultural ministry says the public should be eating this January 2019.
Aid for drought-hit farmers Farmers in parts of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes have been forced to draw on winter food supplies early as pastures dried up
Daylight clock change this weekend could be last ever This weekend - which saw the clocks “go back” to “winter time” today (Sunday October 28) - could be the last time the seasonal clock change takes place in France, as support grows in Europe against it.
Harsh French summers may affect future Christmas trees The drought and heat of the summer in France this year and in 2013 may threaten the cost and availability of Christmas trees in Decembers to come, producers have warned.
French Assembly rejects glyphosate ban for second time The National Assembly has rejected a move to legally ban the herbicide glyphosate completely, for the second time this year.
French beekeepers get €3m boost but industry critical The French beekeeping industry is to receive a three-million-euro boost from the government, the Ministry of Agriculture has confirmed, although a beekeeper union has said this does not go far enough.
Protest farmers say Tour de France tear gas ‘not us’ Farmers who protested at the start of the 16th stage of the Tour de France have sought to distance themselves from the tear gas that stopped the race and affected riders yesterday afternoon.
Horses’ hooves stop rot disease and save vineyard Slowly but surely, horses are being brought in to work France’s vineyards. In the Bordeaux region, organic Château le Puy has been using its own horses since 2000. It opened its doors to Brian McCulloch, who discovered the advantages of horsepower over machines
Mayor wants to grow and sell cannabis in French fields A mayor of a town in the Béarn (Pyrénées-Atlantiques, Nouvelle-Aquitaine) has asked President Emmanuel Macron for permission to experiment with growing and selling cannabis in the region.
No glyphosate in France by 2021 despite MPs' 'no' vote France will continue to work towards removing the herbicide glyphosate from use by 2021, President Macron has confirmed, despite MPs overwhelmingly rejecting the proposals in a vote on Monday night.
Start-up rents pollination bees to boost fruit farms A Nouvelle-Aquitaine start-up is renting super-productive pollination bees to agricultural fruit farmers to boost their returns and help address the “disappearing bee” crisis.
“Catastrophic” year for French honey, say beekeepers This year has been condemned as “catastrophic” for French honey, with pesticide use, lack of biodiversity, and climate conditions named as the main culprits.
France publishes best fruit and veg list for October The French ministry of agriculture has recommended a list of the best fruit and vegetables you should eat to be healthier, protect the environment, and save money this October.
List of fipronil-affected egg products to be published The list of products at risk of contamination by the insecticide egg scandal will be published publicly in the next few days, it has been announced.
French snail farmers demand consumers eat local French snail farmers are calling on consumers to eat local snails, and want snail origins to be printed on labels, as nearly all so-called ‘French snails’ actually come from eastern Europe.
Tensions lower slightly in Spain-France ‘wine war’ Progress has been made in the ‘wine war’ between France and Spain as agriculture ministers from the two countries have met for talks in a bid to defuse tensions.
Scientists create new pesticide-free tomato varieties Scientists in France have created two new varieties of tomatoes, with an attractive colour, shape, and melt-in-the-mouth taste, and which do not require pesticides to thrive.
Appellation system not working out for French cheese Multinationals are making a mockery of the appellation system for traditional products, says Véronique Richez-Lerouge
Shepherds protect Dordogne farmland Unused farming land in the Dordogne has been given a new lease of life in a project which uses public money to support young farmers and put sheep on to land that would otherwise revert to woodland.
Gariguette strawberries arrive at market France's favourite early-season fraise can be yours - at the right price
Hollande tells Trump to ‘butt out!’ President says allies do not do each other down – and offers American a ticket to Disneyland Paris to see for himself