The French government announced a 70 million euro support plan on Friday evening for road transporters, fishermen, and farmers hit by energy price hikes from the Middle East conflict. Valid for April and renewable monthly, it provides targeted sectoral aid without worsening the public deficit. Sector reactions are mixed.
The government unveiled on Friday evening, during a press conference at Bercy, an "immediate support plan" of nearly 70 million euros for the most vulnerable sectors to the fuel price surge, triggered by the Middle East war ongoing for a month.
Road transporters will receive 50 million euros as a 20-centime per liter fuel rebate for April, via a dedicated portal. "Objective: preserve road freight continuity and smooth the price surge's impact on transporters' cash flow," according to Bercy. Florence Berthelot, general delegate of FNTR, criticized: "The government announcements are neither sufficient nor operational," calling the system an "usine à gaz." The Union des entreprises de transport et de logistique (TLF) regretted a "new checkbook policy" that is merely conjunctural.
Fishermen will get 5 million euros for a 20-centime per liter reimbursement on marine gas oil, whose price has jumped 80% in a month. ANOP and UAPF welcomed it as "a first positive signal" and "a breath of oxygen."
For farmers, full excise duty exemption on non-road diesel (GNR) for April amounts to 14 million euros, or a 4-centime per liter reduction. France will request at the March 30 EU Council the suspension of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) on fertilizers. Luc Smessaert, FNSEA vice-president, dismissed it as "crumbs," citing over 60 centimes per liter increase, and promised "actions."
Economy Minister Roland Lescure, alongside several ministers, stressed public spending control after Insee data showing a 5.1% GDP deficit in 2025, better than expected. This plan builds on prior measures like contribution deferrals and Bpifrance loans.
