Pesticide clause blocked by France's top court

The court blocked a key pesticide clause that would have allowed acetamiprid's return, sparking a clash over farming policy and environmental protection.

France's top court strikes down pesticide clause in farming law

PARIS (AP) — France's highest court blocked a key part of the farming law that would have reintroduced the pesticide acetamiprid. The court said the measure failed to protect the environment and future generations. The rest of the law, known as the Duplomb law, was allowed to stand. The bill, passed in early July, aimed to loosen rules for farmers and fast track projects like water storage. It was backed by the government and major farming unions, but met fierce opposition from scientists, health experts and green groups.

At the heart of the controversy was acetamiprid, a pesticide banned in France since 2018 for harming bees and other pollinators. Sugar beet growers pressed for its return. The court ruled the proposal was not strict enough and ignored France's constitutional commitment to environmental protection. The backlash was swift, including a student-led petition with more than two million signatures. Opponents argued the bill was rushed through parliament with little debate, and warned it could threaten public health and biodiversity. The ruling is a setback for President Emmanuel Macron's government, which defended the bill until the end. Critics hailed the decision as a win for democracy and the planet. Some lawmakers have already signaled plans to push for a full repeal in the coming months. Acetamiprid remains approved by the European Union until 2033 and is authorized in other member states.

This ruling highlights a friction between speed in farming policy and the duty to protect ecosystems. It shows the judiciary placing environmental safeguards ahead of push to loosen rules tied to farm growth. It also underscores the pressure on the Macron government from farming unions and the broader political cost of a policy clash with scientists and green groups.

In practical terms, the decision may slow the government’s farming agenda and renew debates over how France balances food security with biodiversity. The case could influence future amendments and how pesticide policy is debated in parliament, particularly as the EU maintains its own approval timetable for acetamiprid until 2033.

Highlights

Policy will keep evolving as science and public opinion push for steadier guardrails.