France adopts emergency agricultural law reshaping livestock, water and wildlife rules

On 2 June the French National Assembly passed the emergency agricultural bill by a vote of 369‑178. The 46‑article text, pledged in January to quell farmer unrest, creates a special environmental licensing regime for intensive livestock buildings, aiming to permit about 2,200 new intensive poultry farms by 2035. Amendments limit public hearings to nearby residents, a move criticised by the minister as “a situation of deregulation”.

The law also eases rules on water storage: prefects can authorize reservoirs and wetlands alterations without public meetings, and priority drinking‑water catchments may face stricter pesticide bans. It relaxes defence‑shooting provisions against wolf attacks, allowing night‑vision optics and a presumption of legitimate defence. Penalties for theft or damage to agricultural sites are increased to up to five years’ imprisonment and €75,000 fines. Several amendments were adopted with support from the Rassemblement National, while environmental groups and some parties warned of reduced citizen oversight and potential breaches of European and environmental charters. The Senate will review the bill in the week of 29 June.