France agricultural emergency law controversy

In late July 2026 the French Parliament passed the “Loi Duplomb 2.0”, a 78‑article emergency measure that temporarily re‑authorises two pesticides (acetamiprid for hazelnuts and flupyradifurone for beet, apple and cherry) and expands water‑capture rules for farms. The vote was 296‑224 in the National Assembly and 214‑111 in the Senate, with right‑wing parties supporting and left‑wing parties, LFI deputies and environmental groups opposing.

The law sparked a political crisis: Environment Minister Monique Barbut announced her resignation after the government rejected an amendment to drop the pesticide provisions; President Emmanuel Macron refused the resignation, keeping her in post and prompting speculation that former President François Hollande could mount another presidential bid.

Opposition parties and eight NGOs—including Générations Futures, LPO, France Nature Environnement and WWF—have lodged external contributions to the Constitutional Council, arguing that the pesticide re‑authorisation, the doubling of agricultural water‑storage capacity and the easing of rules for intensive livestock farms breach France’s constitutional environmental charter and EU law. The Council has one month to rule.

Supporters maintain the law protects French agricultural sovereignty amid declining yields, while critics warn it favours large agribusiness and threatens biodiversity.