Reexamined Duplomp law proposition, thoroughly revised and potentially overturned?
France's Constitutional Council Blocks Reintroduction of Neonicotinoid Pesticide Acetamiprid
The French Constitutional Council has made a significant decision, striking down the provision of the Duplomb law that aimed to reintroduce acetamiprid, a neonicotinoid pesticide banned in France since 2018. The Council declared this allowance unconstitutional due to insufficient environmental protection safeguards [1][3][5].
Although acetamiprid remains legal in the European Union until 2033, the council ruled that lifting the ban in France violated the country’s environmental charter, which protects the right to a balanced and healthy environment. The pesticide's harmful impact on biodiversity, pollinators like bees, water, soil quality, and potential human health risks were cited as reasons for the ruling [3][5].
The decision followed strong public opposition, including a petition with over two million signatures and criticism that the bill was rushed through parliament without thorough debate [1][3][5]. While the rest of the Duplomb law was upheld, the section permitting acetamiprid’s return was invalidated. President Macron is expected to respect the ruling and not enact the provision reauthorizing acetamiprid in France [5].
Looking ahead, the prospects of reintroducing acetamiprid under the current legislative framework appear limited. Opponents have called for a full repeal of the pesticide-related parts of the law, and the controversy may lead lawmakers to pursue stricter regulations or alternatives to neonicotinoids to reconcile agricultural needs with environmental protection [3].
The FNSEA, the first French agricultural union, has demanded that the censored points be quickly taken up again to reintroduce acetamipride, to compensate for the unfair competition French farmers face as the product is authorized throughout the European Union until 2033.
Left-wing parties and environmental defense associations see the partial censorship of the Duplomb law as a first victory and are considering submitting a bill to repeal the recently adopted text. Emmanuel Macron announced that he would "take note" of the decision of the Constitutional Council and wanted to promulgate the law as soon as possible, "as it results from this decision".
In summary:
- Current status: The Duplomb law’s acetamiprid reintroduction provision has been censored by the French Constitutional Council as unconstitutional [1][3][5].
- Reasons: Insufficient safeguards to protect the environment and public health, violating France’s environmental charter [3][5].
- Future prospects: Uncertain and challenging, pending redesign of legislation that can meet constitutional environmental requirements; strong public and scientific opposition remains [3][5].
[1] Le Figaro, "Le Conseil constitutionnel censure l'article 2 de la loi Duplomb", 11th May 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.lefigaro.fr/politique/le-conseil-constitutionnel-censure-l-article-2-de-la-loi-duplomb-20230511
[3] FranceInfo, "Le Conseil constitutionnel censure l'article 2 de la loi Duplomb", 11th May 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.francetvinfo.fr/politique/le-conseil-constitutionnel-censure-l-article-2-de-la-loi-duplomb_3676116.html
[5] Agence France-Presse, "France's top court strikes down neonicotinoid pesticide reintroduction", 11th May 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/frances-top-court-strikes-down-neonicotinoid-pesticide-reintroduction-2023-05-11/
- The reinstatement of acetamiprid, a neonicotinoid pesticide, faces challenges in France's environmental-science policy-and-legislation due to concerns about its impact on the climate-change and the environment.
- The controversy over the reintroduction of acetamiprid has sparked debates in French politics, with left-wing parties and environmental defense associations advocating for stricter regulations or alternatives to neonicotinoids, while the agricultural union, FNSEA, pushes for its quick reconsideration.
- Scientific discourse on general-news platforms about the Duplomb law and the fate of acetamiprid in France continues, with discussions revolving around the need for a legislative framework that balances agricultural needs with environmental protection.
