French President Emmanuel Macron has emphasized the need for enhanced safeguards for food producers, proposing a “European Egalim” law akin to existing French legislation regulating trade negotiations between food manufacturers and supermarkets.
In response to widespread farmers’ protests across the EU, Macron’s call for greater protections aligns with demands for ensuring farmers’ incomes amid supply chain negotiations.
The French “Egalim” laws, enacted between 2018 and 2023, aimed to bolster farmers’ income during trade negotiations. While the EU implemented similar food producer protections in 2019, the French legislation imposes stricter requirements, including considerations for farmers’ production costs.
Philippe Goetzmann, an expert in the agri-food industry, highlights the need for European-wide regulations to maintain competitiveness and coherence within the single market. He suggests that France should focus on enhancing credibility and asserting its position to advocate for broader regulatory standards across the EU.
French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal recently announced tighter controls on negotiations involving French raw materials, reinforcing adherence to the “Egalim” law. However, it’s essential to note that the law does not extend to EU or non-EU products sold in France.
As discussions continue on harmonizing regulations to support food producers across Europe, Macron’s proposal underscores the importance of ensuring fairness and stability in the agricultural sector.
