Paris (AFP)

The government on Wednesday kicked off debates in the Assembly on the ratification of the Free Trade Agreement between the EU and Canada (CETA), an agreement that is defended as "important" and useful in the face of health, agricultural and environmental risks.

"In an uncertain world (...), the deep and ancient ties that bind Europe and Canada are particularly valuable," said Foreign Affairs Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian.

In a hemicycle provided enough, he defended an "important agreement" against "a worrying climate" in trade between states, praising the "positive" record of its provisional application for nearly two years.

The controversial text, which concerns 510 million Europeans and 35 million Canadians, removes customs duties on 98% of products traded between the two zones.

It must be ratified by the 38 national and regional assemblies of Europe, from where its examination to the Palais-Bourbon then to the Senate at a date that remains to be defined.

MPs of the majority, including the rapporteur Jacques Maire (LREM), have not stopped in recent days to defend a deal "winning for France" with a friendly country that "is not the Wild West!" According to Roland Lescure (LREM).

But despite their efforts, the text raises reluctance even in the majority LREM-MoDem, where abstentions are likely.

The vote was initially expected after the debates on Wednesday night, a decision denounced as "unacceptable" by the left. But in extremis, a public vote was finally scheduled next Tuesday, the presidency of the Assembly arguing the "large number" of deputies involved and the risk of a "late vote".

The oppositions are in fact very raised. In addition to about 40 amendments to remove the two sections of the bill, LR will request an "adjournment" of the vote via a motion.

- "Every little steak" -

The agreement is being fought by both farmers and ecologists, particularly in the name of health risks.

Civil society organizations mobilized on Tuesday around the Assembly, as a hundred farmers Wednesday, alerting against the "junk food" that will end up on the plate of the French.

And even Canadian personalities, including members of Parliament, urged the French to reject the agreement.

The elected LR intend to oppose it if the agricultural component is maintained, in the name of a "double risk" on beef: "sanitary" and "destabilization of the sector".

The group accuses government and majority of "lies" on animal meal, while their use "is allowed in the diet of cattle in Canada". "Only the use of flours from ruminants is prohibited for ruminants", they note.

UDI and independent elected representatives also point out "dangers" and should mainly vote against.

The vote "will show clearly" that "is really on the side of our farmers, the ecology and health of the French," tweeted Marine Le Pen (RN).

Even hostility of leftist groups - PS, PCF, LFI -, denouncing a text "incompatible with the Paris Agreement", with a "veto" climate "not found" despite the assertions of the majority.

"Who can claim that we can both defend the environment, defend our peasants, our breeders and ratify Ceta tells you carabistouilles," says Boris Vallaud (PS).

Like LR, François Ruffin (LFI) believes that the government has "ceased to lie" on animal meal. Remains possible, according to him, meat fed with "animal blood meal, dehydrated animal blood, hydrolized animal hair", an "enormous Achilles heel" for the government.

For meat, "it is the European standards that apply," insisted Wednesday Le Drian. "The truth I see hurts, but it's the truth!", He said while opposition MPs were protesting.

"We play on fears," also believes Roland Lescure recalls that only 36 Canadian farms can export under European standards. He mentioned on Wednesday a maximum of "100 grams of meat per capita and per year", "a tiny steak," spokesmen MoDem shouting also to "fake news".

© 2019 AFP