As it does every year, the Agricultural Show has opened its doors in Paris. It is an unmissable event for the French political class, who gather there for a few very intense days to meet with farmers and their unions. One year after the crisis that shook the agricultural world, it is time to take stock, as there is still much dissatisfaction among farmers.
Between burdensome and costly EU regulations and the trade agreement with South American Mercosur bloc, which threatens to bring cheap agricultural products—that are not subject to the same regulations—into the country, most of the farmers’ concerns remain unsolved.
Last year, the Salon International de l’Agriculture (SIA) was held in a climate of high tension and defiance towards the government. President Macron’s visit was met with violent protests, in line with a more general movement of protest in the agricultural sector across Europe. In France, the show is not just any trade fair. A traditionally agricultural nation, proud of its traditions, its agriculture, and its way of life rooted in the land—from wine to cheese and cuisine—France has a passionate relationship with the rural world and the values it conveys. This is why a visit to the Agricultural Show is always a very important political moment for the personalities who attend. It is an opportunity to maintain relations with a sector that accounts for nearly 6% of the French electorate and enjoys strong support from the public. Traditionally, voter turnout among farmers is higher than among the rest of the French population and tends to be more right-wing.
The outbursts and demonstrations during the 2024 edition of the show forced the organisers to issue strict rules. “The Show is not a place for touting political messages,” the management tried—in vain—to remind the visitors, while expecting no fewer than 82 official visits. Several rules have been laid down: limitation of the size of delegations; day of visit fixed in advance; single visit preferred; predefined route to facilitate security. There is a sense of annoyance on the part of those in charge: “Politicians shouldn’t just come and tell farmers that they love us, they should also come with answers to our legitimate expectations,” said Jérôme Despey, the head of the show.
The exhibition was inaugurated on Saturday, February 22nd, in the presence of President Emmanuel Macron. He was rather better received than in 2024. In the space of a year, the government granted €500 million in tax relief, and an agricultural law was passed a week before the opening of the exhibition, meeting some of the farmers’ demands. The passing of the bill took a long time due to the dissolution of the National Assembly in June 2024 and the fall of the government in December. When it finally passed, it elevated agriculture to the status of “major general interest,” with emphasis placed on France’s food sovereignty, which had been lost for decades—defying all logic. The Left denounces a law made up of “ecological regressions”—in fact, a relaxation of practices that is essential if we want to lighten and simplify the life of farmers.
The farmers realise how far they still have to go: too many constraints still weigh on them. “Let Macron support us financially, help us with the administrative procedures, lighten the load,” a market gardener demanded on France Info. The head of state also sought to reassure people about the consequences of the free trade agreement with Mercosur—without, however, having much detail to offer.
The highly contested Mercosur agreement aims to create the world’s largest free-trade area, covering a market of more than 700 million people. By eliminating most import taxes, the deal would allow South American countries to export agricultural goods, such as beef, poultry, and soybeans, to Europe with fewer restrictions.
Prime Minister François Bayrou visited the show on Monday, February 24th, in the company of Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard and spoke at length about food sovereignty.
The president of the Rassemblement National (RN) Jordan Bardella did not respect the one-visit rule and attended the show twice. He knows that his party benefits from a strong sympathy capital among farmers, which he intends to take advantage of. Two issues of particular concern to farmers are being highlighted by the RN: the European Green Deal and the free trade agreement with Mercosur.
On X, Bardella called for the suspension of the Green Deal in defence of French farmers. He said he was “on a campaign against the Green Deal,” which he considers to be “inspired by punitive environmentalism.” “We, who already have the cleanest agriculture in the world, impose standards and regulations on ourselves that are not applied to products entering our territory,” he explained to BFM TV.
An overwhelming majority of French people share this view and support farmers in this approach.
The 2025 Salon de l’Agriculture is expected to attract just over 600,000 visitors.
