France ratifies its right to ban contaminated non-EU fresh produce imports 

Following a legal challenge by the French Chamber of Fruit and Vegetable Importers, the country’s Council of State ruled that the government was legally entitled to suspend non-EU food imports containing residues of certain pesticides banned in Europe. 

The ruling determined that the contested order, announced in January 2026 by Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu and the Minister of Agriculture, Annie Genevard, was based on solid scientific data and fell within the framework established by European food safety law. 

By this decision, the French government is exercising its right to take emergency precautionary measures to protect its citizens.

An import ban on scientific evidence

Even though the European Commission is in charge of food safety matters for the country bloc, France determined that the thresholds established by the agency setting maximum trace levels for five known substances (carbendazim, benomyl, glufosinate, thiophanate-methyl, and mancozeb) “were no longer appropriate given current scientific knowledge.”

“French authorities determined that the consumption of these food products posed a risk to the health of French consumers,” said the French Council of State. 

The decision effectively suspends the importation, introduction, and placing on the market of edible products presenting "quantifiable residues" of the above-mentioned substances, particularly exotic fruits, citrus fruits, potatoes, and cereals.

The government agency defended its ruling, emphasizing strong scientific evidence from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). 

“This data establishes the existence of risks to human health caused by the consumption of foodstuffs containing residues of one or more of the active plant protection substances mentioned in the decree,” read the decision.

According to the decree ratified by the Council of State, the suspension will end when the European Commission adopts appropriate measures, or a year after its entry into force if the EU authority fails to take action. 

The Chamber of Fruit and Vegetable Importers has not yet reacted to the latest decision of the Council of State. 

*All images are referential. 

Related stories

The biological revolution: Global biopesticide market set to reach $12.65 billion by 2031

Scientists develop eco-friendly pesticide alternative using citron juice