This paper examines farmland protection policies through the lens of social justice. It relies on document analysis and in-depth interviews in the Montpellier city-region. We clarify the conceptions of justice underpinned by planning choices on the urban fringe. We also assess two innovative farmland management initiatives. We reveal how local actors perceive justice issues in relation to various forms of public intervention. Unravelling the social consequences of farmland protection policies highlights local conflicts or compromises. It also questions governance processes and may be useful for public policy making and assessment.