The French government has announced measures to support farmers during the current heatwave in the country, including relaxing mowing rules and suspending some inspections.

French authorities said (in a statement translated to English) that the current heatwave, exceptional in its earliness and intensity, is "particularly trying for the agricultural world, whose activity is very exposed to the effects of high temperatures".

In light of this situation, and at the request of Annie Genevard, Minister of Agriculture, Agri-food and Food Sovereignty, representatives of agricultural professional organisations met today (Tuesday, June 23) to take stock of the situation and identify emergency measures to be implemented.

After listening to their feedback and requests to help farmers get through this “exceptional episode”, the minister committed to an initial measure aimed at limiting the consequences of the heatwave on animal feed and the risk of fire.

A new situation update with agricultural professional organisations will be organised before the end of the week with a view to potential further announcements.

The French government announced a 'red' weather alert this week amid the very high temperatures.

On Monday afternoon, temperatures reached exceptional levels across most of the country, ranging from 39° to 42° in the southwest and from 34° to 38° further east.

Access to forage resources

The French government said it aims to anticipate difficulties that may affect the feeding of livestock.

The government said that, if brush clearing obligations were put in place by local authorities, and provided that fallow land is located in the area covered by the new measures, a fallow land may retain its character as agro-ecological infrastructure, even if it has been mowed, allowing the farms concerned to continue to be eligible for aid under Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) payments in 2026.

Agricultural organisations and agricultural technical institutes have been asked to intensify their support for producers and to "widely disseminate" practices to help farmers adapt crop and livestock management to high temperatures.

Postponement of some checks

Given the “unusual seasonality” of the heatwave, the minister has also decided that inspections of farms will be temporarily postponed in the affected departments (the French equivalent of a county) until the end of the red heatwave alert period.

Minister Genevard commented: "Faced with the intensification of extreme weather events, we have a responsibility to protect farmers, animals, and plants.

“These objectives require swift, strong, and appropriate measures.”

She added that the state "is more than ever mobilized to provide concrete answers to farmers, protect their production capacity and guarantee the future of resilient French agriculture".

European weather alerts

Weather alerts have been issued in several European countries this week.

Spain's official weather website has issued warnings for many regions, with temperatures hitting 40° today in numerous locations, a category that Spanish authorities describe as "extremely hazardous".

German authorities warned of "strong heat stress" or "extreme heat stress".Italy today predicted highs in the mid-30s.