Marc Fesneau deplores that Ceta is being “instrumentalized” before a crucial vote in the Senate

Ceta is “generally favorable to French and European exports”, defends the Minister of Agriculture.

On the eve of a crucial vote in the Senate, Marc Fesneau defends Ceta, the free trade agreement between the European Union and Canada. “I would just like to remind you that this agreement was greatly vilified and that the facts are stubborn, as the other said. They prove that this agreement is favorable overall for French and European exports and particularly for agriculture, in a certain number of sections”, assures the Minister of Agriculture on Wednesday March 20 on franceinfo. Senators vote Thursday on the bill authorizing its ratification. A vote with an uncertain outcome, since the presidential camp is in a very minority in the upper house.

The inclusion of this text on the Senate agenda is not the work of the government, but of the communist deputies, who fully intend to see it rejected. A credible hypothesis, since The Republicans (LR), the leading political force at the Luxembourg Palace, seem to share this objective. “We need free trade agreements, but certainly not at the expense of our sovereignty, particularly food sovereignty”says Bruno Retailleau, head of the LR senators.

All this is “politician policy”, estimates Marc Fesneau. Indeed, “no one is fooled by the agricultural moment and the European moment”. Less than three months before the European elections, it “regrets that we are exploited like that” Ceta, “because we need trade.” “The France farm is powerful because it can export milk, cereals, wines and spirits obviously. We must not deprive ourselves of that,” he insists.

If the senators say “No” to the free trade agreement between the European Union and Canada, the National Assembly will have to vote again on this subject. In 2019, deputies narrowly approved it. Now that the presidential camp no longer has an absolute majority at the Palais Bourbon, a new green light is not guaranteed.