France's Minister for Ecological Transition Plans to Resign Over the Agricultural Bill
Monique Barbou, France’s Minister for Ecological Transition, plans to resign in protest against a controversial agricultural bill that the French Senate was expected to pass later on Tuesday. This was reported by “European Truth” with reference to Politico.
According to an anonymous member of the minister’s team, Barbou has informed Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu and her office of her intention. She plans to resign after the Senate’s expected approval of the bill.
Originally, the government’s bill was aimed at addressing the issues raised by French farmers, including declining profitability and increasingly difficult production conditions. At the same time, political controversy arose over two amendments introduced late in the legislative process to ensure the bill’s passage in the Senate, where conservatives hold a majority.
One of the amendments provides for a temporary authorization to use a banned pesticide for nut growers. The other doubles the water storage limits for farmers over the next decade. Barbou opposed both provisions and told *La Tribune Dimanche* that, following the Senate’s changes, the bill had significantly altered France’s policy on water resource allocation.
Agriculture Minister Annie Genevair publicly opposed her colleague’s position. In an interview with Le Journal du Dimanche, she stated that the bill’s failure—whether due to ideology, self-interest, or fear—would push farmers closer to the brink of despair.
