The French National Assembly recently voted in favor of a measure to create price floors that would ensure fair compensation for farmers. The proposal, brought forward by ecological deputies in parliament, aims to guarantee a decent income for agricultural workers. The bill was passed in its first reading after twenty-three hours of debate, with 89 votes in favor and 66 against. Left-wing parties supported the measure, while the right-wing National Rally party abstained and the majority government voted against it. The Minister Delegate to the Minister of Agriculture, Agnès Pannier-Runacher, dismissed the proposal as impractical, stating that setting minimum prices for agricultural products could disadvantage local farmers and favor imported goods.
The bill, championed by environmentalist deputy Marie Pochon from the Drôme region, requires agricultural sectors to calculate production costs every four months, including farmer remuneration at least twice the minimum wage. The minimum purchase price for agricultural products, which cannot be lower than production costs, would be determined in public forums. If no agreement is reached, the mediator for commercial relations would report negotiations to the relevant ministers, who would ultimately set a minimum price. This approach had previously been proposed by the far-left France Unbowed party in November but narrowly rejected by the Assembly. President Emmanuel Macron reignited the debate on price floors in response to demands from the farmers’ union Confederation paysanne, with Minister of Economy and Finance Bruno Le Maire supporting the initiative.
The government’s opposition to the bill centers on concerns that setting administrative prices could distort the agricultural market and disadvantage local producers. Minister Pannier-Runacher emphasized that the government cannot determine prices for an entire economic sector and warned that a minimum price that only applies to domestic production could lead to increased reliance on imported goods. Despite acknowledging the importance of ensuring fair incomes for farmers, the government asserts that the proposed measure is not a viable solution. The bill’s supporters argue that price floors are necessary to prevent farmers from selling at a loss, thereby preserving the economic sustainability of the agricultural sector.
The introduction of price floors for agricultural products has sparked a lively debate among political parties, with differing opinions on the best approach to supporting farmers and ensuring their financial security. While left-wing lawmakers and environmentalists advocate for measures that prioritize fair compensation and protection of domestic agriculture, the government and other parties express concerns about potential negative impacts on the market and international trade relations. The bill’s passage in the National Assembly signifies a step toward implementing price floors for agricultural products, but further discussions and potential amendments are expected as the legislation progresses through subsequent readings and debates in parliament. The outcome of this initiative will likely have significant implications for the agricultural sector and the broader economy in France.
