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France, as a member of the European Union (EU), generally follows EU directives, regulations, and obligations. This report focuses on food laws in force in France that cover areas which are not EU harmonized. EU regulations are explained in the Food...

The French livestock industry depends on imported genetically engineered (GE) feed, especially soybean, rapeseed, and corn. However, France has no commercial production or field trials of GE crops. While most French scientists and farmers are generally supportive of biotechnology, consumer attitudes toward GE are primarily negative.

This report provides updated contact information for Greece and gives an overview of Greek food laws in the EU context. It is recommended to read the EU-27 Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards, to obtain a fuller understanding of EU laws as Greece is a member of the European Union and follows its directives and regulations.

Greece, as a member of the European Union, follows EU directives and regulations. For information on EU export certificates, please see the Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards – Certificate Report prepared by the United States Mission to the EU in Brussels. For non-harmonized products, the competent Greek authority should be consulted as many issues are addressed on a case-by-case basis.

This report is written for U.S. companies interested in doing business in Greece. It contains information on the economic situation, consumer buying patterns, and strategies for market entry. Greece presents market opportunities for many U.S. consumer-orientated products, including tree nuts, distilled spirits, soybeans, forest products, seafood, and processed fruits.

On January 24, 2022 the French State Council provisionally overruled the December 2021 ministerial order banning the sale of raw CBD hemp flowers and leaves. The court noted that the flowers and leaves of cannabis sativa L. with a THC content of less than 0.3 percent were “devoid of narcotic properties” and could therefore be marketed in France.

The French food processing sector encompasses approximately 15,500 companies ranging from small family-owned businesses to some of the world’s largest multinationals. Widely regarded for global leadership in innovative technology, quality and marketing, French food processing companies provide employment to more than 433,000 people, generating $53 billion in export sales.

In 2020, French food and agricultural imports from the United States reached $1.32 billion. While exporting to France is complicated, there are many opportunities for U.S. suppliers.

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) outbreaks have already led to the culling of 15 million poultry birds in France (approximately 5 percent of the total poultry flock). Dozens of new cases are being discovered every day. The new variant of the HPAI H5N1 virus appears to be highly transmissible and is spreading rapidly through reproductive flocks of broilers, ducks and egg laying hens.

Greece’s MY 2021/22 cotton production is estimated at 1.35 million 480 lb. bales, down 3.6 percent from the previous season due to a decrease in area planted. Greece is a major cotton exporter. Turkey was the main destination in MY 2020/21, representing 50.1 percent of total exports.

France has no commercial production or field trials of genetically engineered (GE) crops. The French livestock industry depends on imported GE products for feed, especially soybean, rapeseed, and corn.

France as a member of the European Community has implemented EU regulations for the import of animal and plant products.