Agriculture & Farming

To start an agricultural and forestry equipment repair business in France, you must hold a professional qualification. You need either a relevant diploma (CAP, baccalauréat professionnel or BTS in equipment maintenance) or three years of effective professional experience. If you qualify through experience, you must obtain a qualification certificate from the CMA (Chambre des Métiers et de l'Artisanat) in your area.This regulated craft activity covers the repair, maintenance and servicing of machinery used for soil cultivation, planting, livestock farming, brush clearing and mowing. You must submit the JQPA form with your business registration and meet honorability conditions. Registration with the CMA is required as it is classified as an artisanal activity.

Issued by: Chamber of Trades and Crafts (CMA)

To work as a farrier (maréchal-ferrant) in France, you need a professional qualification: a CAPA maréchal-ferrant, a BTM maréchal-ferrant, or at least three years of proven professional experience. Without one of these, you cannot operate independently but may work under the supervision of a qualified farrier.You must register as an artisan through the guichet unique managed by INPI. The Chambre de métiers et de l'artisanat (CMA) handles registration and can issue an attestation de qualification professionnelle if you qualify through experience. Farriery is classified as a craft trade. Professional liability insurance is strongly recommended given the risks involved in working with horses.

Issued by: Chamber of Trades and Crafts (CMA)

The manager of a breeding establishment for non-domestic animal species handles the sale, rental, transit, and public display of live specimens of French and foreign wildlife. This activity only concerns animals that are not listed as domestic species by ministerial decree.To practice this activity, the professional must obtain a certificate of capacity (certificat de capacité) for the care of non-domestic animal species and an authorization to open the establishment, both issued by the prefect. Animals held must be identified by individual marking and registered in the national identification database.

Issued by: Departmental Prefecture

If you use plant protection products (produits phytopharmaceutiques) in your professional activity, you must hold a personal Certiphyto certificate. This applies to farmers, landscapers, forestry workers and any other professional who applies pesticides, whether as an employer, self-employed operator or employee.There are three certificate categories depending on your role: operator (OPE), decision-maker in a business subject to approval (DESA), or decision-maker in a business not subject to approval (DENSA). You obtain the certificate through training or by passing a test. If your business provides application services to third parties, it must also hold a company-level agrément from the regional prefect. Using phytopharmaceutical products without a Certiphyto is punishable by up to six months in prison and a 50,000 euro fine.

Issued by: Regional Directorate for Food, Agriculture and Forestry (DRAAF) / Regional Prefecture

To practice veterinary medicine in France, you must hold the State diploma of doctor of veterinary medicine (diplôme d'État de docteur vétérinaire) and register with the Ordre national des vétérinaires. Registration is mandatory before any form of practice and must be done with the regional council of the Ordre. You must also be a national of an EU, EEA or Swiss state.If you plan to open a veterinary practice, you need to register your business with the CFE, URSSAF or tribunal de commerce depending on your chosen legal structure. You must carry professional liability insurance. To perform certain regulated health acts such as official animal health inspections, you also need a separate habilitation sanitaire from the DDPP (Direction Départementale de la Protection des Populations).

Issued by: Veterinary Council (Regional Council)