French President Embraces New Agricultural Legislation, Maintains Ban on Controversial Pest-Control Product
In a significant ruling, France's highest constitutional court struck down a controversial provision of the Duplomb law on August 7, 2025. The law, passed by the French parliament in July 2025, aimed to reauthorize the pesticide acetamiprid, a neonicotinoid banned in France since 2018 due to its harmful effects on bees, pollinators, human health, and the environment.
Acetamiprid Remains Legal in the EU
Acetamiprid is still authorized by the European Union until 2033 and remains legal in other EU member states. Some French farmers, especially sugar beet and hazelnut growers, argued they rely on it to control pests and stay economically competitive. Nevertheless, critics including scientists, environmentalists, health experts, and millions of citizens have strongly opposed the Duplomb law due to acetamiprid’s well-documented neurotoxic effects on insects, particularly bees, which are essential for biodiversity and food security. Opponents argue that neonicotinoids contribute to mass bee deaths and pose risks to soil and water quality and human health.
Blocked by the Constitutional Council
The constitutional court emphasized that the law lacked sufficient detail on the pesticide's scope, duration, and application to ensure environmental safety, leading to its rejection of that part of the law. Despite the court striking down the pesticide clause, the remainder of the Duplomb law, which includes measures to facilitate farming projects and large-scale water storage, was allowed to stand.
Public Support and Future Repeal
The decision garnered widespread public support, highlighted by a student-led petition with over two million signatures opposing the law—the largest in French history. Some lawmakers have already indicated intentions to push for a total repeal of the law in the future.
Opposition to Neonicotinoids
The family of pesticides known as neonicotinoids, including acetamiprid, poses risks to human health and has an impact on biodiversity, particularly for pollinating insects and birds. French Health Minister Yannick Neuder has called for a European reassessment of the impact of acetamiprid on human health with a view to "banning this product" if risks are proven. The Green Party group in the National Assembly has announced its intention to submit a bill to attempt to obtain a total repeal of the Duplomb law.
Impact on Farmers and Agriculture
Laurent Duplomb, the conservative senator who introduced the law, warned it would mean more imports of products containing acetamiprid and reduced French production. The Duplomb law also approved the construction of water storage facilities for agriculture.
In conclusion, the Duplomb law’s clause to permit acetamiprid use in France was blocked by the Constitutional Council in August 2025 for failing to protect bees, human health, and the environment adequately. Acetamiprid remains banned in France but still authorized by the EU. The ruling reflects France's strong constitutional commitment to environmental protection. There is significant public and scientific opposition to the pesticide’s reintroduction due to its risks to pollinators and ecological health.
