Agricultural and rural themes for the French Presidency of the Council of the EU which started in January 2022 will include promotion of ecological transitions, sustainable trade, and rural matters.
President Macron’s speech introducing France’s priorities for its chairing of the Council of the EU highlighted the potential from common approaches by Member States to “defend at European level the excellence of our agricultural model”. European governments were seen by Macron as being able to raise standards of food quality and environmental quality overseas, “demonstrating global solidarity alongside strategic autonomy.”
Action against pesticide risks was also referenced in the President’s speech and the Programme of the Presidency (see pages 60-61). This is expected to include delivering the Farm to Fork Action Plan’s proposal for a revision of the Sustainable Use of Pesticides Directive. Another Farm to Fork action due to be launched during the French Presidency is a proposal for a Farm Sustainability Data Network. Its aims to contribute to a wide uptake of sustainable farming practices that will further underline the excellence of the EU’s agricultural model.
The new EU Rural Pact will be complemented and promoted by the French Parliament’s call for a European rural agenda to be advanced under France’s EU Presidency
