French National Assembly backs €10 million increase for vine-removal aid

Funding for stronger-than-expected demand

France’s National Assembly approved Amendment No. 105 on Thursday, November 12, 2026, adding €10 million to support payments for winegrowers who remove vines. Adopted during debate on the country’s year-end budget adjustment bill, the proposal was intended to cover demand beyond the expectations set when the program was announced in late 2025. The official tally was 45 votes in favor and four against, with 64 lawmakers participating.¹

Jean-René Cazeneuve, who introduced the amendment, said the appropriation was needed to secure the vine-uprooting premium promised by the French government because commitments under the program had surpassed initial projections. He described wine as an important part of French agriculture and agricultural exports and said the sector had suffered from export tariffs, several years of climate-related crises and declining consumption.¹

Government support during the budget debate

The measure concerns the prime à l’arrachage, a payment to growers who uproot vines. Programs of this kind reduce vineyard area where production has become difficult to sustain. The issue has gained prominence in France as some wine regions contend with weaker demand, pressure on exports and repeated weather shocks.¹

David Amiel, minister for public action and accounts, supported the proposal on behalf of the government. He told lawmakers that the aid was necessary for the wine industry following a very difficult period for the sector.¹

Finance committee general rapporteur Philippe Juvin said the committee had not considered the amendment because it was submitted late, although he understood its purpose. Noting that the Agriculture, Food, Forestry and Rural Affairs budget mission amounted to about €3.6 billion, he initially asked whether the €10 million could be found within that envelope. The Assembly proceeded to vote after the government expressed its support, while Juvin did not oppose the measure.¹

Agricultural aid and implications for wine

The vote came during an extended sitting on legislation adjusting spending and appropriations before the end of the 2026 fiscal year. In the same session, lawmakers approved a separate, government-backed €12 million amendment to complete exceptional aid for businesses that had purchased non-road diesel for agricultural or forestry work. The two decisions reflected cross-party attention to agricultural support in the budget debate.¹

The broad margin for the vineyard measure distinguished it from many other amendments rejected during the sitting, often after unfavorable opinions from the government and finance committee. As France is one of the world’s largest wine producers, vineyard restructuring decisions can influence grape supply, growers’ finances and the speed of adjustment in regions under sustained market pressure. Additional funding could support the management of excess capacity if weak consumption, trade pressure and climate damage continue to affect producers.¹

Allocation remains provisional

Approval of the amendment did not make the funding law. After adopting it during the debate, the National Assembly rejected the 2026 year-end budget bill as a whole later on November 12. The €10 million allocation therefore cleared this stage of parliamentary consideration, but its final status depends on the subsequent course of the broader budget legislation.¹