France to suspend imports of South American fruit over pesticide use

France will suspend imports of agricultural products from South America that contain residues of substances banned in the European Union. The announcement was made on Sunday (4) by French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu in a post on social media platform X.

According to Lecornu, a decree will be issued in the coming days, at the initiative of Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard, to block the entry of products showing residues of mancozeb, glufosinate, thiophanate-methyl and carbendazim—crop protection chemicals prohibited under European sanitary regulations.

Products affected include avocados, mangoes, guavas, citrus fruit, grapes and apples originating from South America or any other region. Lecornu said inspections will be stepped up by a specialized task force to ensure strict compliance with French health legislation.

Farmers’ pressure

Lecornu described the decision as “the first step” toward protecting domestic supply chains and French consumers, while also tackling what he called unfair competition. He said the measure is intended to ensure fairness and equity for local farmers, who operate under stricter production rules.

The announcement comes amid road blockades and protests organized by French farmers since December, driven both by the government’s handling of lumpy skin disease in cattle herds and by opposition to the free-trade agreement between the European Union and Mercosur.

The treaty with the South American bloc—made up of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay—has yet to be formally signed and faces resistance in several European countries. According to Reuters, the European Commission has discussed including safeguard clauses for sensitive products such as beef, and Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on December 18 that the signing of the agreement had been postponed until January amid political and social pressure.

Source: Infomoney

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