France promulgates agricultural emergency law

The French agricultural emergency law was officially published in the Journal Officiel on August 19, 2026, following parliamentary discussions. The law consists of 55 articles and underwent review by the Constitutional Council to ensure compliance with the Constitution.

The Constitutional Council struck down several provisions, including two substantive measures regarding public information procedures for non-residents and the responsibility of neighboring landowners for buffer zones. Additionally, six measures were removed as “legislative riders” (cavaliers législatifs) that were deemed unrelated to the original text. These removed provisions included the suspension of diffuse pollution fees, the exclusion of agricultural construction from net zero artificialization (ZAN) objectives, and regulations concerning fish farming, hedge destruction, and marketing claims regarding farmer remuneration.

Despite these deletions, the law introduces significant changes concerning farmer income, theft and intrusion, predation control, SAFER, pesticides, water sharing, sanitary systems, and livestock buildings. The legislation has also reignited debates regarding water management and the role of wetlands, such as marshes and peatlands, in helping farmers adapt to climate change and drought conditions.