France Bans Pesticide-Treated Imports As Farmers To Protest In Paris

PARIS, Jan 8 (Bernama-dpa) -- France has imposed an import ban on agricultural products treated with pesticides that are prohibited in Europe, the government said on Wednesday, ahead of renewed farmers’ protests against the EU's Mercosur trade agreement.

The decree takes effect immediately and will remain in force until the European Commission adopts similar rules at the EU level, the government in Paris said, reported German news agency dpa.

The ban targets products treated with hazardous pesticides that are not authorised in Europe, including fruit and vegetables such as avocados, mangoes, and guavas, many of which are imported from South America.

French farmers have been strongly opposed to the EU’s proposed trade agreement with the Mercosur bloc, arguing that it would expose them to unfair competition from cheaper agricultural imports produced under less stringent environmental and health standards.

Under pressure from France, the signing of the Mercosur agreement was postponed in December, but is now set to take place in the coming days. Massive farmer protests, which put pressure on the politically embattled government in Paris, were one reason for the last-minute French ban.

On Wednesday French farmers were driving their tractors towards Paris, where peaceful protests are planned for Thursday at several locations in the capital.

The import ban is intended to protect French farmers and end incomprehensible double standards, said Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard.

"Products that we withdraw from circulation because of the substances they are treated with must not be allowed to come back in through the back door," she said.

The Mercosur bloc is composed of Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay.

--BERNAMA-dpa