The French tariff of 1885 was a protectionist law passed by the National Assembly of the French Third Republic that imposed tariffs. It became law on 28 March 1885.[1] [2]
Under the 1881 tariff, wheat was subject to a duty of 0.60 francs per 100kg.[3] A combination of foreign competition and bad harvests had caused a growth in grain imports since 1879.[4] [5] Grain prices declined from 22 francs per hectoliter in 1881 to 16 francs in 1885.[6] The Société des agriculteurs de France and the Association de l'industrie française combined to pressure the government into increasing tariffs.[7] The agriculturists held a series of national agricultural conventions to rally farmers to protection, beginning in November 1884.[8] The farmers requested a duty of 5 francs. The Minister of Agriculture, Jules Méline, was supportive but the Chamber of Deputies voted for a duty of 3 francs.[9]
The duty on wheat was raised to 3 francs per 100kg; on oats and barley 1.50 francs; on flour 6 francs; on beef and pork 7 francs; on bullocks 25 francs per head; on cows 12 francs per head and on pigs 6 francs per head.[10] The duties on butter, cheese, eggs and wine remained unchanged from 1881.[11]