France has introduced a new wide-ranging emergency agricultural bill which aims to protect farmers, boost food sovereignty and protect farmland.

According to the French government the emergency bill for the "protection and sovereignty of agriculture" aims to deliver major reforms and benefits for the country's farmers.

The bill, which has been passed following significant discussions with farming unions and agricultural professionals over recent weeks, also aims to "strengthen the fight against unfair competition, improve the preservation of agricultural land and the protection of agricultural property against theft and damage".

According to the French Minister of Agriculture, Annie Genevard, the French government and parliament is "deeply committed" to the country regaining its "food soverignty".

The minister believes the adoption of the bill "after the anger and concerns expressed by farmers" represents an important first step "on the path to reconciliation".

Minister Genevard said the new bill reflects the government's ambition to "provide concrete solutions to the real difficulties faced by those who feed us, for the benefit of our food sovereignty".

The emergency agricultural bill touches on many aspects of daily farming life in France and includes new measures to "better structure supply chains" and improve agricultural income.

It also includes an ambitious system for improving water quality at catchment points and wants to simplify "the implementation of pig, cattle, and poultry farming projects".

French farmers

The bill is a direct response to the concerns repeatedly voiced and highlighted during many protests over the last 12 months by French farmers about the uncertain future they face.

They have warned that their livelihoods are under direct threat from trade deals such as Mercosur and more recently from spiralling input costs including fertiliser and fuel as a result of the Middle East conflict.

One aspect of the new emergency agricultural bill focuses on an objective to ban "the supply of public canteens with food produced in third countries".

Some French politicians had called for French-sourcing only for food in public canteens but this would be unlawful so this will not come into effect.

But there is a strong sentiment among French farmers that their produce should be the first choice at all times in France - whether it is in a canteen or on a supermarket shelf.

This was very much evident when the French farmers' union FDSEA (Fédération Départementale des Syndicats d'Exploitants Agricoles) held a protest in some Lidl supermarket stores last month.

The protest was over a promotion in Lidl stores in France which according to the FDSEA were advertising Irish steak "as the best in the world".

A claim French farmers angrily refuted - according to the Lot FDSEA "the best meat is in our territory".

Lot FDSEA young farmers blocked Lidl stores in Figeac and Bretenoux, voicing their anger over the promotion of Irish steak.

They said: "The best meat is here, on our territories, in our farms, produced by our breeders.

They warned:"Today more than ever, we have to make the choice of local and French in our plates".

Earlier this year Lidl Ireland unveiled a new €7.5 million supply deal with Cavan-based supplier Liffey Meats that will see Irish beef exported to Lidl stores in 26 European markets throughout the year.

According to Lidl there was only one specific week long promotion that took place in Lidl France stores last month.

The supermarket group told Agriland: "Lidl’s global footprint enables us to support local producers to scale internationally and grow their businesses.

"At Lidl Ireland, we are proud to have the opportunity to showcase the very best Irish beef to customers across Europe, and likewise look forward to bringing Lidl’s traditional French delicacies to our shelves in Ireland in June".