France’s constitutional council has struck down a provision in a new agriculture bill that would have reintroduced the pesticide acetamiprid, citing the nation’s constitutional right to a healthy environment.
Angelique Chrisafis reports for The Guardian.
In short:
- The “Duplomb law” sought to let farmers use acetamiprid, banned since 2020 for its toxicity to pollinators, but the council ruled it violated France’s environmental charter.
- The decision followed weeks of public protest, including a petition with more than two million signatures and opposition from environmentalists, doctors, and beekeepers.
- Farmers, especially beet and hazelnut growers, argued the pesticide was necessary to combat pests and virus yellows, citing competitive pressures from other EU countries where it is still permitted.
Why this matters:
Pesticides that harm pollinators threaten not only biodiversity but also the food systems that depend on these species. Bees and other pollinating insects play a critical role in the reproduction of many crops and wild plants, yet global populations have been declining due to habitat loss, disease, and chemical exposure. Acetamiprid belongs to the neonicotinoid family, a group of insecticides linked to impaired navigation, reproduction, and survival in bees. Once pollinator populations drop, ripple effects can hit harvest yields, disrupt ecosystems, and weaken resilience against climate stresses.
Learn more: French court ruling on acetamiprid pesticide tests Macron’s balance between farmers and green voters
