Emergency farm law adopted: conditional return of two pesticides

Emergency farm law adopted: Emergency Agricultural Legislation Approved: Two Pesticides Face Conditional Reintroduction Political Divisions Emerge Over Rapid

Emergency Agricultural Legislation Approved: Two Pesticides Face Conditional Reintroduction

Political Divisions Emerge Over Rapid Passage

Poinews.com – French senators have given their approval to an urgent agricultural measure, voting 214 in favor against 111 opposing votes. The legislation, which Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu had pledged would address farmers’ concerns regarding their “means of production,” encountered considerable obstacles during its journey through parliament. Even members of the governing coalition have expressed disagreement with the approach taken.

Monique Barbut, serving as Minister for the Ecological Transition, voiced her opposition to the measure. Shortly after the Senate’s approval, she declared her intention to present her resignation to President Emmanuel Macron.

Scientific Concerns and Political Reactions

Opposition parties are anticipated to challenge the law before the Constitutional Council. Green Party representative Daniel Salmon criticized the process, stating:

“a reckless and destructive headlong rush, with complacent measures that deny the scientific evidence”

Meanwhile, centrist senator Franck Ménonville offered a different perspective on the legislation’s purpose:

“the hypocrisy of producing less in France in order to import ever more products that do not comply with our standards”

What the Law Allows

Under the new provisions, the French health agency Anses gains authority to permit the use of two specific pesticides under exceptional circumstances. When the Minister of Agriculture makes a formal request, Anses may grant authorization subject to certain conditions for both acetamiprid and flupyradifurone.

Acetamiprid has been prohibited within France since 2018, though European Union regulations permit its continued use at progressively reduced concentrations through 2033.

Flupyradifurone, classified as a new-generation neonicotinoid, faced a French ban effective 31 December 2019. The EU has authorized its application until 2029.