France imposes import ban on several fruits

According to the announcement of French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu, the government will shortly issue a decree preventing the entry of the affected products into the country. The decision is a direct response to the growing protests by French farmers in recent months, which are based, among other things, on the planned free trade agreement between the EU and the South American Mercosur bloc and the treatment of livestock diseases.

According to the Prime Minister, the import of avocados, mangoes, guavas, citrus fruits, grapes and apples, among others, will be suspended if they contain substances whose use is prohibited in Europe.

The French government believes that the measure serves to protect supply chains, consumers and producers, and contributes to creating fairer conditions of competition. The move also intensifies the debate between EU member states: while Germany and Spain support the Mercosur agreement, France fears that cheap South American imports that do not meet EU environmental and food safety standards – especially beef – would make European producers insolvent.