French lawmakers passed an emergency agriculture bill on July 21 allowing limited waivers for the use of two pesticides, acetamiprid and flupyradifurone, which have been banned in France since 2018 and 2019 but remain authorized at the EU level [1, 2, 3]. The legislation enables the French food safety agency, ANSES, to grant temporary exemptions for pesticide use after application and scientific review [1, 3].
The bill aims to restore France's agricultural competitiveness and improve its food trade balance amid challenges such as extreme weather, tariffs, and rising input costs [1, 3]. Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard supported the law, saying, "The final version of this text brings real and tangible solutions to the farmers" and highlighting benefits like doubling water storage for agriculture and simplifying farm expansion regulations [1].
However, the bill faced strong opposition from environmentalists. Ecology Minister Monique Barbut criticized it as "one environmental reversal too many" and announced her resignation on the same day, July 21, stating that opposing forces blocked her environmental efforts [1, 2]. She said, "在我看來，除了提出辭呈，別無選擇。" (In my view, resigning was the only choice) [2].
Greenpeace condemned the legislation, arguing the government and its allies are trampling on science, health, the environment, and public will [2]. French beekeepers echoed these concerns, calling the return of the pesticides an "absolute disaster" due to research showing harm to bees' memory and survival [2].
The bill passed with a Senate vote tally of 214 in favor and 111 against [2].
The legislation now allows ANSES to evaluate applications for limited pesticide use exemptions on a case-by-case basis. This process marks the immediate next step in implementing the law and balancing agricultural needs with environmental safety concerns.
