France : un plan à 70 millions d'euros pour routiers, pêcheurs et agriculteurs

The French government announced an emergency plan of around 70 million euros to support professionals most exposed to the surge in fuel prices. Financed through credit cancellations within the relevant ministries — so as not to further strain already deteriorated public finances — the package covers the month of April and targets three sectors: road transport, fishing and agriculture. Against a backdrop of tense oil markets, US commercial crude oil stocks recently surged by 6.2 million barrels, underscoring the persistent volatility weighing on pump prices.

Road transport as the primary beneficiary

With around 50 million euros allocated, road transport — both freight and passenger — receives the bulk of the package. The aid targets very small and small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) able to demonstrate major cash-flow difficulties linked to the fuel crisis. These companies will be able to apply through a dedicated window set up for the purpose, with the aid equivalent to a flat subsidy of 20 euro cents per litre.

The sector had raised repeated concerns about the risk of cash-flow breakdowns for its most vulnerable operators. The government specified that the entire plan is financed through internal budget redeployments, without creating new expenditure.

Agriculture: an excise duty exemption on non-road diesel

For farmers, the government is announcing an exemption from excise duty on the non-road diesel (NRD) used in tractors, at an estimated cost of 14 million euros. The measure equates to a reduction of 4 euro cents per litre on a fuel that already benefits from favourable taxation, according to a government source. Paris is also requesting the immediate suspension of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) on fertilisers, of which France and Europe are major importers, or failing that, direct compensation for farmers.

Fishermen: direct reimbursement on fuel invoices

Fishermen, some of whom were already forced to remain in port, will receive 5 million euros in support. This aid, equivalent to 20 euro cents per litre according to government calculations, will take the form of direct reimbursement on fishing vessel fuel invoices. The tax route being unavailable — as diesel for fishing is already tax-exempt — this reimbursement mechanism is the only operational solution available.

Paris indicated its intention to notify the European Commission of this direct aid scheme and to request its validation as quickly as possible, which could ultimately allow direct pump-side discounts for the sector. In an environment shaped by multiple tensions along global supply routes, including Tehran's threats to the Strait of Bab el-Mandeb, a strategic corridor for oil, the pressure on energy costs across professional sectors is expected to remain elevated.