French industrial livestock under fire as NGOs and documentary highlight import reliance and farmer abuse

The Brigitte Bardot Foundation signed a tribune in Ouest France alongside 40 researchers, scientists, NGOs and agricultural actors, condemning the French industrial livestock sector. The text points out that the sector depends heavily on imports – 80 % of synthetic fertiliser comes from abroad, with imports from Russia up 86 % since the war in Ukraine, and 3 million tonnes of soy are brought in each year to feed animals. Over 80 % of the EU Common Agricultural Policy budget funds this unsustainable animal production, with 95 % of pigs and 80 % of poultry raised intensively.

A new documentary, "Violence dans les champs", directed by Nicolas Legendre and Magali Serre, reinforces the critique by featuring testimonies from French farmers who report health harms, harassment and pressure from powerful agribusiness interests. The film, shown on France 5, includes commentary from researchers, politicians and historians, and calls for a transition toward more humane, environmentally‑friendly farming systems.

Both the tribute and the documentary urge French lawmakers to reconsider the emergency agricultural bill that favours intensification over sustainable practices, and to develop a clear roadmap for a sovereign, animal‑welfare‑respecting livestock sector.