French Senate approves reintroduction of two banned pesticides

On the night of 29‑30 June, the French Senate voted 183‑129 to add a controversial measure to the agricultural emergency bill that would allow a controlled, time‑limited re‑introduction of two insecticides – acetamiprid and flupyradifurone – currently banned in France but permitted elsewhere in the EU. The amendment, driven by Senator Laurent Duplomb, argues that the ban harms French fruit growers and forces reliance on imports produced with the same chemicals.

The vote runs counter to the positions of the ministries of Agriculture (Annie Genevard) and Ecological Transition (Monique Barbut), who warned that the measure could jeopardise the bill’s overall passage and pose risks to biodiversity and public health. Environmental groups and a coalition of medical and scientific societies have condemned the decision, calling it a “gigantic renunciation” and a test of democratic institutions.

The bill also contains other contentious provisions on water‑storage infrastructure, wolf‑predation safeguards for livestock, and strengthened support for agricultural projects. These items will be debated further in a joint parliamentary committee scheduled for mid‑July, where the Senate’s amendments will be reconciled with the National Assembly’s version.