French regulations on food security and food sovereignty, and relevance for short food chains

This document is a presentation by Yuna Chiffoleau, a Research Director at INRAE and coordinator of the French Expert Network on Short Food Supply Chains (SFSCs), delivered at an Advisinar event on March 16, 2026.

It provides an overview of French regulations related to food security and food sovereignty from 2010 to 2025, and analyzes how each piece of legislation relates to short food supply chains (direct or near-direct sales between producers and consumers).

The main content is a timeline table covering key laws and policies, such as:

• The Loi Egalim (2018), requiring 50% sustainable products in public catering
• The Law against food waste (2016)
• The Law on Food Sovereignty and Generational Renewal in Agriculture (2025), which focuses more on productivity and is seen as less favorable to short food chains

The overall message is that while many French regulations have supported or promoted short food supply chains over the years, more recent legislation tends to prioritize productivity and export capacity, making it less aligned with the short food chain model.