French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal speaks during a press conference to answer to farmers protesting over pay, tax and regulation, at the Hotel Matignon, in Paris, France, 21 February 2024; Credit: Alain Jocard/Pool via Reuters

PARIS (Reuters) - The French government will prepare by the summer a new law to better safeguard prices for farmers and strengthen their position in negotiations with retailers and consumer goods companies, Prime Minister Gabriel Attal said on Wednesday 21 February 2024.

Attal made the announcement on updating the so-called Egalim law in his latest speech aimed at easing tensions with angry farmers, ahead of the annual Salon de l'Agriculture farming trade fair that starts this weekend.

French farmers, who say they are not being paid enough and are choked by taxes, green rules and face unfair competition from abroad, have been pressing the government to show the first results of emergency measures Attal before the trade show.