Concern is mounting over the ban on the use of an insecticide which is due to come into force on April 25. Some fear in particular that France will no longer be able to export cereals to Africa if phosphine, required by certain African importing countries, is prohibited.
Will French wheat producers be able to continue their exports to Africa? French deputies are worried and challenged the government on Tuesday following the ban on the use of an insecticide which must come into force in France on April 25 and which is required by certain African countries which import cereals.
This is phosphine, an insecticide used during the transport of cereals to prevent the spread of insects from one country to another. Some African states such as Togo, Cameroon, Algeria or Egypt require direct fumigation of this insecticide for importing wheat.
4 billion euros loss
The ban on this pesticide therefore worries French cereal producers. They see in this measure a very significant shortfall for them, because no longer being able to export to these countries would represent 11 million tons of grain, or nearly 4 billion euros in losses. Especially since neighboring European countries have reauthorized direct fumigation.
Faced with these concerns, the French government wanted to be very reassuring. The authorities say they are looking for a legal solution to circumvent this constraint. ” France will continue to export cereals “, assured the Minister of Agriculture Marc Fesneau. In particular, he recalled that there were possible derogations within the framework of European law, if this is done at the request of the importing countries.