French government seeks to cut Anses costs

The French government is looking to reduce expenses for the National Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health Safety (Anses), which oversees food safety, environmental health, and workplace conditions. This move comes amid tighter budgets and growing public and political scrutiny of the agency's operations.

Ministers direct inspections of Anses operations

At the end of October, four French ministers—responsible for Agriculture, Ecology, Health, and Labor—sent a formal letter to the general inspections of their ministries. These inspections are tasked with evaluating Anses's activities, ensuring that its responsibilities align with its available resources and budget.

Automation and AI considered to improve efficiency

Among the changes being explored are the use of artificial intelligence and automation, even for handling confidential data. Inspections will also assess how Anses evaluates pesticides, processes applications for product approvals, and makes decisions, with a focus on identifying delays or inefficiencies in these processes.

Budget cuts and industry tax changes announced

The 2027 finance bill includes a 5 million euro reduction in direct government funding for Anses. However, this cut is partially offset by a rise in taxes paid by industries seeking product approvals, which will contribute more to the agency’s budget.

Anses faces long-standing political and legal challenges

Anses has been under political pressure for years, particularly over its role in environmental policy. In 2025, a law implementation raised concerns about its independence, and in September of the same year, the government faced legal criticism over its handling of pesticide evaluations.

Report highlights Anses's financial and political struggles

In September, the environmental group Pollinis released a report titled Anses: Expertise Under Pressure, which pointed to issues such as political influence, budget cuts, and delays in pesticide evaluations. The report noted that Anses had lost nearly 7 million euros in operational funding since 2024.