In a letter sent to Senate President Gérard Larcher and forwarded to AFP, senators from the Socialist group are requesting resources to investigate soil contamination by this heavy metal, which is toxic in the event of prolonged exposure. “Beyond the health and environmental issues, there seem (…) to remain areas of uncertainty that would merit investigation and clarification,” the socialists believe in their letter initiated by the senator from Moselle Michaël Weber and signed by their president Patrick Kanner.
Food, the main cause of exposure for the French
In a comprehensive report published on March 25, 2026, the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES) emphasized that food is the primary source of exposure for the French population to this metal, which is naturally present in the environment, but whose concentration can be increased by certain human activities. ANSES also issued recommendations, such as reducing the maximum limits for cadmium in fertilizers, which the government plans to implement by decree.
Read alsoCadmium: what can be done to reduce population exposure?
However, the French Federation of Organic Agriculture (Fnab) has criticized the agency for several "errors" or "inaccuracies" and has asked ANSES to supplement its report. These "differences in interpretation," in particular, have led the Socialists to call for the launch of a parliamentary inquiry, a mission with broad powers of investigation and hearings.
Will this request be successful?
However, there is no guarantee that the socialists' request will succeed, as it must first take the form of a proposed resolution, be placed on the agenda, and then be adopted by the Senate before it can be implemented.
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