From February 25th to March 4th 2012, the International Agricultural Show will take place at the Porte de Versailles Exhibition Center in Paris. Every year, this event is open to the general public but it is also an opportunity to meet trade contacts from all the agricultural sectors. The Paris International Agricultural Show gives an overview of the agricultural world. Many activities, exhibitions and debates are available to visitors. This edition will focus on four themes: animals, French and world gastronomy, crops and plants, agricultural services and professions. With 1,142 exhibitors and 4,667 animals presented in 2011, the Paris International Agricultural Show is the biggest French agricultural event. The show enjoys good press coverage and is an inevitable stop for politicians, especially in these times of presidential campaign. Website: www.salon-agriculture.com  

During three days, two French companies have set off to explore Ireland’s farming industry. From North to South, the two companies have visited dairy, beef and sheep farms as well as abattoirs which allowed them to better understand the specificities of the cattle and sheep sector on the isle of Ireland. After two days on the road, the two companies settled in Tullamore to meet with representatives from organisations such as Eblex, ISCA, ICBF, Teagasc and AHI. After presentations and debates, the French Trade Commission had organised individual meetings for the French companies with potential Irish customers. These meetings were much appreciated from both sides and should lead to long lasting and fruitful partnerships. The French companies: ARaymondlife -created in 2007- is a company dedicated to life science. ARaymondlife is authorized as a pharmaceutical laboratory to manufacture health products including medical veterinary products and medical veterinary products subjected for clinical trials. Product range: - Electronic pastern ring for bovine - Conventional pastern ring for caprine - Bovine/ovine/caprine ear-tags conventional and electronic - Identification strap for big game - Closure system for sterile vial - Drug releasing devices: impregnated matrix ORIANE-CELTILAIT - for more than 30 years Celtilait has developed a wide range of milk replacers for young animals: rearing calves, veal calves, piglets, lambs and kids. Celtilait manufactures its milk replacer from fresh milk collected in Brittany -Brittany is famous for the quality of its dairy and meat productions. Product range: - RUMISTRUM: Lyophilised bovine colostrum IBR free - NATIV MILK: Milk replacer for foal and pony - PATAVIE: Lyophilised bovine colostrum - RUMISTRUM MINI BAG: Complementary feed for calves, lambs and kids - PRECIAL: Milk replacer with colostrum for puppy and kitten - Milk replacer for calves, lambs and kids. Should you be interested in receiving more information about these companies or about other potential French suppliers, please contact us: Marion DUGUEN ( marion.duguen@ubifrance.fr / 01 411 2115)  

French agribusiness trade surplus reached 896 million euros in July 2011, which is 210 million euros more than at the same period last year, according to the French Ministry of Agriculture. Between 2009 and 2010, the French commercial balance had already increased by 39%, according to the Global Trade Atlas. This can be explained by a strong increase in French exports of food-processed products both towards the European Union and the rest of the world, between July 2010 and July 2011, with alcoholic drinks like wine and Champagne being particularly export-efficient. In particular, French trade balance with the European Union was 505 million euros worth in July 2011, which is 128 million euros more than in July 2010. Exports towards EU countries have notably increased for wheat, dairy products and colza oil.  France is Ireland’s 4 th supplier for agribusiness products, accounting for 5.2 % of Ireland’s imports in this sector in 2010, which is 5.6% more than in 2009.  

Health concerns and the recent E.coli crisis have fuelled Europe’s drive for better food labeling. Knowing what is in your food will be easier thanks to new labeling rules decided by members of the European Parliament on Wednesday 6 th of J uly. The main issue is to update the existing regulation and provide new information on food packages in order to protect consumers. These new rules will come into force in four years. In terms of origin, all meats sold in the EU will have to show where they come from. Currently, this rule only applies for beef. Moreover, any substances that could cause an allergic reaction will have to be clearly labeled. In addition, nutritional information will have to be made clearer. The nutritional data will have to be grouped in tabular form on the packaging and expressed per 100g or per 100ml. Alco h ol is not concerned by the implementation of these new measures.

According to “Invest in 2011”, a study published by a magazine specialising in the agrifood industry, investments in this sector have resumed this year after a 19% increase estimated for 2010. An overview of the areas where industrial investments were the most important shows that eastern France is one of the most dynamic with the sponsorship of huge industrial projects. Northern France which includes Nord-Pas de Calais, Picardy, the northern part of Normandy and the greater Paris area, is not as investment-oriented. Indeed, industrial investments in this region are forecasted to increase only by 6% which is far below the national average of 19%. Finally, the West and South West parts of France are performing well after a particularly difficult year in 2010.

ANIA, the French food industry federation has recently presented its conclusions and prospects for 2011. Created in 1968, this association represents the interests of more than 10 000 agrifood businesses at national and european scales. With a turnover of €143 billion (an increase of 3% in 2010) the agrifood sector remains the first industry in France. It is also the second employer with 477000 employees and more than 10 282 companies. According to ANIA, Brittany was appointed top region for food industry in 2010. Moreover, this industry has definitely a worldwide orientation. Indeed, France is the fourth worldwide exporter of agrifood products. Last year exports of food products increased by 9,9%.

This professional and international forum will take place from February 19th until 27th, 2011 at the Porte de Versailles Exhibition Center in Paris. Every year, the Paris International Agricultural show presents an overview of farming and genetics in France. For the 48th edition of the show, efficient and sustainable agriculture takes center stage and this year’s theme will be “Farming and food: the French model”.  At a time when UNESCO has just classed the gastronomic meal of the French as intangible cultural heritage of humanity, the French food model will be at the heart of the debate. The international agricultural show is organized around four themes: animal breeding, crops production and horticulture, agricultural services and job products. This year a total of 1,270 exhibitors will be attending and 3,500 animals will be present on site. This exhibition will take place in a context where political figures and professional organisations express concern about the EU food business dysfunctions and advocate for the regulation of food commodities. European governments try to avoid food price inflation. French President Sarkozy argued that the volatility of agricultural commodity prices is devastating for farmers. This situation is particularly critical for pig and poultry farmers because they do not get direct income aid payments from the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).