France Blocks the Reintroduction of Banned Pesticide

• The court blocked the reintroduction of the neonicotinoid pesticide due to ecological risks.
• The law on agricultural state did not provide sufficient sovereignty for the protection of the natural environment.
• The petition against the law gathered over 2 million signatures.

France has blocked the reintroduction of a banned pesticide, including the ruling of its highest court. This ruling pertains to a part of the law on agricultural state, which advocated for the reintroduction of the neonicotinoid pesticide, banned in the country since 2018 due to its harm to bees and other pollinators.

The Constitutional Council of France recognized that any exceptions to the ban on neonicotinoids violate the ecological charter of the country, which guarantees the right to live in a balanced and healthy environment. The law, known as the "Duflot Law", was initially supported by the government and agricultural unions but faced strong opposition from scientists, doctors, and ecological organizations.

The court's decision was a blow to President Emmanuel Macron's government, which supported this law. Opponents believe that the court's ruling is a victory for democracy and the protection of the planet. Additionally, more than two million signatures were collected on the petition against the law, indicating widespread public concern.

Neonicotinoids are currently allowed in the European Union until 2033 and are used in other member states.

Tags: Europe/Ecology