French farm bill sparks record-breaking petition signatures

FILE PHOTO: Tractors are parked in front of the French parliament, the Assemblee Nationale, as French farmers gather for a protest to call on lawmakers to adopt a bill that would loosen restrictions on pesticide and water use in farming, in Paris, France May 26, 2025. REUTERS/Abdul Saboor/File Photo

PARIS (Reuters) -A petition against a French farm bill loosening environmental rules for farming, including over the use of a pesticide accused of harming bees, has set a record for signatures, increasing pressure on the government to revisit the law.

Launched by a 23-year-old student this month, the petition poses a fresh challenge for President Emmanuel Macron, already under strain over his cost-cutting budget.