Organic Farming in France: À La Mode or A Mode of Life?

Organic farming, as opposed to conventional or traditional farming that employs the use of chemicals, is a method that was begun in the middle of the twentieth century, shortly after the end of World War II. In many ways it is a return to farming practices that were conducted for centuries until about the late 1800\u27s when pesticides and fertilizers were introduced. The rise of organic farming has been occurring all over the world to varying degrees over the past few decades. The French have always had a strong connection to agriculture, food, and the preservation of tradition, so organic farming has a notable presence throughout the country because of its association with these ideals. It is, however, still a small sector in the farming industry, warranting study of its extent. In this thesis I examine its origins, development, regulation, connection with other countries, motivations for its promotion, deterrents to its progress, and projections for its future based on other academics\u27 and my own analysis. I conclude that organic farming in France is certainly rising and shows definite signs of growth in the upcoming years because of consumer interest and governmental support. While it is highly doubtful at this time that organic farming could wholly replace conventional farming, it is likely to create more transparency in the farming industry and lead to the breakdown of large agricultural businesses