FRANCE: Public consultation on the conditions for authorising agricultural treatments by drones

The Ministry of Agriculture has opened, from 2 to 23 April 2026, a public consultation on two complementary draft regulatory texts relating to the application of plant protection products (PPPs) by remotely piloted aircraft (drones):

• a draft decree regarding the conditions of authorisation and the procedures for carrying out experimental programmes involving the application of PPPs by drone;
• a draft order supplementing this decree.

These draft texts follow on from the Law of 23 April 2025, which authorises the use of drones for certain plant protection applications, subject to conditions.

In accordance with this law, Anses was referred to on 10 September 2025 regarding these two draft texts.

The draft decree defines the conditions of authorisation and the procedures for implementing experimental programmes, as well as the requirements applicable to products, operators and aircraft.

In particular, it specifies:

• the procedures for submitting and examining applications for authorisation;
• the measures to protect human health and the environment;
• the arrangements for monitoring experimental programmes and for transmitting the results to Anses for scientific evaluation.

The draft order supplements this text and establishes the general administrative framework. In particular, it specifies the conditions relating to eligible agricultural plots and to the PPPs that may be applied.

With regard to plots, these include:

• plots with a slope greater than or equal to 20%;
• banana plantations;
• mother vines for rootstocks grown in fields;
• any other type of plot or crop listed in the list referred to in the first paragraph of C of I ter of Article L. 253-8, i.e. those for which trials have shown that this method of application is likely to present clear benefits for human health and the environment.

As regards products, only products included on the list of biocontrol products, products authorised for use in organic farming, and low-risk products are concerned. Products must also be approved for aerial spraying by drone.

It should be noted that Decree No. 2026-270 of 14 April 2026 on the conditions for applying PPPs by remotely piloted aircraft designates the regional prefect as the competent administrative authority to authorise programmes. Approval of a PPP is granted following a specific risk assessment carried out by Anses

To download (in French): 

Decree No. 2026-270 of 14 April 2026 on the conditions for the application of plant protection products by remotely piloted aircraft

See also our previous articles: 

FRANCE: Drones Now Authorized for Crop Treatment, Under Specific Conditions

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