Chapter I: Markets of national interest

Markets of national interest are public market management services offering wholesalers and producers collective management services tailored to the characteristics of certain agricultural and food products. They meet regional planning, environmental quality improvement and food safety objectives. Access to these markets is reserved for producers and traders. The classification of markets for agricultural and food products as markets of national interest or the creation of such markets is pronounced on…

The list of markets of national interest for which the State intends to organise development and management is set by decree. For the other markets of national interest, the municipalities on whose territory they are located, or the groupings of municipalities concerned, ensure their development and management, either on a self-managed basis or through the appointment of a public or private legal entity. In the latter case, this legal entity…

The rate of fees charged to occupancy permit holders or other forms of contribution by market users to the operation of the market shall be established by the manager and approved by the prefect. The market manager shall present a projected profit and loss account enabling it to meet all of its established or foreseeable social, financial and health obligations. If the financial operation of a market shows or is…

A reference perimeter may be established around the market of national interest by decree. This decree determines the location of the market of national interest. The prefect may remove in advance or reduce the reference perimeter thus established. The modification of the enclosure of a market of national interest is decided by the market manager. When the market is surrounded by a reference perimeter, the market manager may not extend…

Within the perimeter mentioned in article L. 761-4, plans to set up or extend premises or groups of premises intended to receive, for the purposes of non-retail sales, products on the list defined by order of the supervisory ministers, with a sales area devoted to these products of more than 1,000 square metres, are subject to authorisation by the administrative authority under the conditions defined in article L. 761-7. The…

Where the reference perimeter of a market of national interest includes a port, the authorisation system provided for in the first paragraph of Article L. 761-5 does not apply to facilities located within the port and hosting port activities where these facilities are solely intended for products imported into the port or exported from it by sea.

The competent administrative authority shall decide on applications for authorisation submitted to it pursuant to article L. 761-5, taking into consideration the effects of the project in terms of regional planning and sustainable development.

Infringements of the provisions of articles L. 761-5 and L. 761-7 as well as the provisions adopted in application of these articles shall be recorded and prosecuted under the conditions laid down by articles L. 450-1, L. 450-2 and L. 450-3 and punishable by a fine of 15,000 euros. The articles L. 490-1 and L. 490-4 are applicable.

The right of private occupation of a site held by a trader established within the precincts of a market of national interest is likely to be included in the pledge of his business.

Legislative and regulatory provisions relating to the holding and operation of markets for agricultural and food products are not applicable to markets of national interest. The general organisation of markets of national interest is determined by decree in the Council of State. .