France

France's highest administrative body overturned two Ministry of Agriculture rulings on Monday banning the planting of genetically modified corn. Two government ministries quickly said they were looking for ways to continue blocking the crop.

France’s growing wolf population is good news for environmentalists – but the feeling is not shared by the country’s livestock farmers. This week they get a measure of revenge as a rare wolf-hunting license is issued.

The spring of 2011 has been the driest in decades and the hottest in a century, a deep concern for France’s indebted farming community. The younger generation, which has borrowed heavily to invest in properties, is most gravely affected.

French dairy farmers have obtained a 10 percent increase in wholesale prices for the third quarter over prices for the same period in 2009, staving off farmers' threats of a nationwide boycott.

The Champs Elysées in Paris has been turned into a lush farm for two days starting Sunday. Parisians will able to view animals, foliage and flowers in a special event to highlight farming and its current financial plight.

Thousands of angry French farmers took to the streets of Paris on Tuesday to protest plummeting revenues. More than one thousand farmers rolled their tractors in a giant convoy across the capital, offering Parisians a rare, spectacular sight.

Prices for their produce are down, taxes and environmental requirements are up, and farmers have had enough. They are now demanding a return to EU regulation of the markets to help them balance the books.

Prices for their produce are down, taxes and environmental requirements are up, and farmers have had enough. They are now demanding a return to EU regulation of the markets to help them balance the books.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy appeared at the annual Paris Agriculture Show for its closing day Saturday. He announced an additional 800 million euros in subsidised loans for farmers, bringing the total aid package to 1.8 billion euros.

The Paris Agriculture Show opens its doors Saturday, with an estimated 700,000 visitors expected to attend. But French President Nicolas Sarkozy's decision not to inaugurate the event has caused tongues to wag.