France's agriculture minister pushes food sovereignty after UPSA law

France's Minister of Agriculture, Agri-food and Food Sovereignty Annie Genevard began a week‑long agenda (15‑19 June 2026) to promote the recently adopted emergency law for protection and sovereignty of agriculture (UPSA). The schedule includes strategic meetings with ANSES director Elisabeth Claverie, the minister for Foreign Trade Nicolas Forissier, and the industry minister Sébastien Martin, as well as parliamentary hearings in both the Senate and the National Assembly. Genevard will also travel to an undisclosed region and later accompany the industry minister on a field visit to link agricultural and industrial policies and demonstrate implementation on farms.

At the same time, the National Beekeepers' Union criticised the UPSA law, arguing it fails to address the needs of the apiculture sector and risks harmful pesticide use. The union’s editorial calls for a dedicated urgent apiculture law, stricter pesticide authorisations, increased financial support for beekeepers, and promotion of French honey, highlighting concerns that the broader law favours non‑sustainable, production‑focused agriculture.

Both pieces underline the government's push for food sovereignty while facing opposition from beekeepers who deem the legislation insufficient for environmental and pollinator protection.