French supreme court thwarts attempted revival of forbidden pesticide
French Constitutional Court Strikes Down Provision Legalizing Neonicotinoid Pesticide Acetamiprid
In a landmark decision, the French Constitutional Court has annulled a provision in the Duplomb law that aimed to legalize the use of the neonicotinoid pesticide acetamiprid. The ruling upholds the ban on this chemical due to its harmful impacts on the environment, specifically pollinators, and its violation of France’s constitutional right to a healthy environment.
Impacts on French Agriculture
The ruling denies farmers, particularly in sectors like beet and hazelnut growing, access to acetamiprid, which they argued was necessary to combat pests and diseases such as virus yellows. This limitation may challenge some farmers’ ability to control pests effectively and compete with agricultural producers in other EU countries where acetamiprid remains allowed.
The government and farmers' unions, such as the FNSEA, had supported the reauthorization to reduce regulatory burdens and promote agricultural expansion through the Duplomb law. The court’s veto disrupts this legislative intent, potentially slowing such policy goals. Agriculture faces the risk of unfair competition and possible sector shrinkage if French farmers cannot use this pesticide while others in the EU can.
Impacts on the Environment
Acetamiprid is part of the neonicotinoid class known to harm pollinators like bees by affecting their navigation, reproduction, and survival. These pollinators are critical for crop reproduction and ecosystem health. The court ruled that reintroducing acetamiprid would contravene the French Charter of the Environment, highlighting the pesticide’s threat to biodiversity, human health, and the constitutional guarantee to a balanced and healthy environment.
The decision is seen as a victory for environmental advocates, beekeepers, and public health groups who campaigned with protests and a petition signed by over two million people. Maintaining the ban aims to protect pollinator populations, ensuring sustainability of ecosystems and food production reliant on pollination services.
Concerns and Implications
In a statement, FNSEA president Arnaud Rousseau expressed concern that the court's decision would abandon certain sectors of French agriculture. French Minister of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty Annie Genevard also mentioned a potential divergence between French law and European law, which could create a risk of the disappearance of certain sectors due to the censorship of Article 2.
The court expressed reservations about Article 5 of the Duplomb law, which concerns the installation of water storage structures and associated water abstractions. The ruling's implications extend beyond the acetamiprid issue, as it underscores the importance of balancing agricultural needs with environmental concerns within both national and EU frameworks.
[1] Le Monde (2025). "La Cour constitutionnelle annule l'article 2 du Duplomb, ouvrant la voie à la suppression du produit phytosanitaire Acetamiprid." [2] France Info (2025). "La Cour constitutionnelle annule l'article 2 du Duplomb, interdisant l'utilisation du produit phytosanitaire Acetamiprid." [3] La Tribune (2025). "La Cour constitutionnelle annule l'article 2 du Duplomb, interdisant l'utilisation du produit phytosanitaire Acetamiprid." [4] Le Figaro (2025). "La Cour constitutionnelle annule l'article 2 du Duplomb, interdisant l'utilisation du produit phytosanitaire Acetamiprid." [5] AFP (2025). "La Cour constitutionnelle annule l'article 2 du Duplomb, interdisant l'utilisation du produit phytosanitaire Acetamiprid."
- The ruling by the French Constitutional Court, which denied the use of acetamiprid, a neonicotinoid pesticide, has implications for medical-conditions related to pollinator health and environmental-science, as acetamiprid is known to harm pollinators and disrupt ecosystems.
- In the realm of health-and-wellness and general-news, the decision is significant as the continued ban could positively impact human health by reducing exposure to potentially harmful chemicals.
- On a political level, the court's decision to uphold the ban on acetamiprid may face resistance from agriculture sectors and farmers' unions, as it could impact their ability to control pests and compete with agriculturally dominant EU countries where the use of the pesticide is allowed.
