French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has informed farmers' unions of a specific timeline for processing the bill on the state of emergency in agriculture. The government aims to have it adopted by parliament before summer. The draft is to be voted on in the Council of Ministers at the end of March, after consultation with the Council of State. It will then go to the National Assembly and then to the Senate, where the procedure is to be accelerated. The goal is to calm social tensions following the wave of farmers' protests that swept through France at the beginning of the year.

Goal: adoption before summer

The French government, represented by Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, has set an ambitious goal of final adoption of the bill on the state of emergency in agriculture before the upcoming summer. The schedule was presented to trade unions during a meeting at the Paris Agricultural Show.

Consultation with the Council of State

Before sending the draft to the Council of Ministers, the government intends to submit it for consultation with the Council of State, the highest advisory body on administrative and legislative matters. This process is to take place in March, parallel to the finalization of legal proposals.

Accelerated parliamentary path

After the vote in the Council of Ministers at the end of March, the draft will go to the National Assembly and then to the Senate. The government intends to apply an accelerated procedure to speed up the entire legislative process and meet the announced deadline.

Response to farmers' protests

The bill is the government's direct response to the massive protests by French farmers that erupted in January. The Prime Minister announced it at the time as a measure aimed at calming the situation and solving the sector's pressing problems.

The French government is proceeding with the implementation of the bill announced in January to address the crisis in agriculture. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu presented a detailed work schedule during the Paris Agricultural Show. French agriculture has been facing numerous challenges for years, including low production profitability, import competition, and growing environmental requirements. In January 2026, a wave of protests, road blockades, and farmers' demonstrations partially paralyzed the country, forcing the government to react quickly and promise support. According to the schedule, the draft bill will first undergo consultation with the Council of State in March. Then, at the end of the same month, it is to be put to a vote in the Council of Ministers. This marks the official start of the legislative path for the government's project. After this stage, the bill will go to the lower house of parliament, the National Assembly. Work on it is scheduled to begin in May. Later, the draft will be sent to the upper house, the Senate, where the government plans to apply an accelerated procedure to meet the deadline. Arnaud Rousseau, president of the main farmers' union FNSEA, confirmed after meeting with the Prime Minister that his organization had given the government a comprehensive package of necessary measures. At the same time, he maintained cautious reserve, stating that farmers will "judge by actions." The government, in turn, emphasizes that the entire process is based on consultation and pragmatism. „„Les agriculteurs jugeront sur les actes”” — Arnaud Rousseau. The ultimate goal, repeatedly stated by the Prime Minister's entourage, is "final adoption before summer.".

Mentioned People

  • Sébastien Lecornu — Prime Minister of France, presenting the agricultural bill schedule.
  • Arnaud Rousseau — President of the main French farmers' union FNSEA.
  • Maud Bregeon — Spokesperson for the French government, who previously informed about the bill's adoption deadline.