Duplomb Law: Constitutional Council censors reintroduction of acetamiprid, a previously banned pesticide

It is an understatement to say that his decision was expected and that it will be scrutinized and commented on in every way , even in the middle of summer. The Constitutional Council ruled this Thursday afternoon on the Duplomb law . And it decided to censor the reintroduction of acetamiprid, a pesticide that had previously been banned.

The Constitutional Council, recently chaired by Richard Ferrand, was forced to make a decision under pressure from both public opinion and the agricultural community. It ultimately ruled that "due to a lack of sufficient oversight," this measure was contrary to the "framework defined by its case law, arising from the Environmental Charter," according to a press release. This charter has constitutional value.

In their decision, the Sages recall that neonicotinoids "have an impact on biodiversity, particularly for pollinating insects and birds" and "induce risks for human health."

Following this announcement, the Élysée Palace informed Le Parisien that "the Head of State has taken note of the Constitutional Council's decision and will promulgate the law as it results from this decision as soon as possible."

For its part, the Confédération paysanne, the third-largest agricultural union, hailed this censure as a "stage victory," calling for "continued pressure to achieve a reorientation of agricultural policies." Unsurprisingly, the FNSEA (the sector's leading union) took the completely opposite position, describing it through its spokesperson as "a shock" and calling the Constitutional Council's decision "unacceptable and incomprehensible."

Presented as a response to the major agricultural protests of 2024, this text has been the subject of a strong protest movement despite the summer, pushed by environmental defenders. A petition calling for its repeal has gathered more than 2.1 million signatures .

Many learned societies had called on the Constitutional Council to censor the law, recalling the "strong presumption of a link between exposure to pesticides" and "certain cancers" or other pathologies.

But for the Confédération paysanne, the third largest union, the Duplomb law responds to "the very specific interests of a sector", and not to the "agricultural anger" of 2024 and the income problems of farmers.