France raises alarm over Ukrainian egg imports

FRANCE – France’s national egg producers’ body, CNPO, is voicing concern about Ukrainian eggs entering the domestic market through large supermarket chains.

The organization argues that these imports are not in line with European poultry welfare rules, including France’s prohibition on the culling of male chicks.

According to CNPO, the issue extends beyond welfare standards, as tests carried out on shipments passing through Slovakia and Poland have detected banned antibiotics.

At least four separate inspections have identified substances that are not permitted in the European Union, raising questions about consumer safety.

In response, French agriculture minister Anne Genevard has asked the European Commission to strengthen checks at entry points and within member states.

She has also called for a prohibition on imports of eggs containing unauthorized substances, pointing to the need to protect EU production rules and maintain consumer confidence.

Growing demand fuels supermarket imports

The concerns arise as egg consumption in France continues to increase, driven by their role as an affordable protein during a period of rising living costs.

Sales have risen by 5 percent in volume compared to the same period in 2024, which translates to an additional 350 million eggs purchased this year.

To meet this growing demand, supermarkets have turned to imports, but CNPO warns that this approach risks weakening local production capacity and threatening food sovereignty.

While Ukrainian supplies are still relatively small in relation to overall availability, industry groups argue that the problem carries a symbolic dimension.

They say the debate is not only about market share but also about the enforcement of safety standards and the future of European agriculture.

The tension highlights the balancing act between ensuring food affordability for consumers and upholding strict rules that domestic producers are required to follow.

With political pressure now building, the European Commission faces calls from Paris and the French farming sector to act on concerns tied to both animal welfare and food safety.

The outcome of these discussions will likely influence how EU member states address imports from countries outside the bloc in the coming months.

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