France enacts contentious legislation prohibiting usage of pesticides - France passes contentious legislation on prohibiting pesticides
In France, the ban on the neonicotinoid insecticide Acetamiprid has been in place since 2018, following concerns about its impact on the environment and pollinators [1][3][4]. However, in 2025, the French government attempted to reintroduce Acetamiprid to ease farming restrictions and help farmers compete. This move, however, faced a significant legal setback when France's Constitutional Court blocked the reintroduction, citing a violation of the "Charter of the Environment" due to risks to pollinators and environmental health.
Acetamiprid, unlike some other neonicotinoids banned in 2018, has not been uniformly banned across the European Union (EU) [3][5]. In the EU, the use of Acetamiprid remains legal, albeit under strict conditions, with each member state having the authority to impose additional restrictions.
In Germany, specific details about the status of Acetamiprid are not readily available, but given EU regulations, it is likely that Germany follows the EU's current position, where Acetamiprid remains approved under strict conditions, although national restrictions may vary.
The controversy surrounding the French government's handling of the Acetamiprid reintroduction issue has had significant political implications. Emmanuel Macron's administration has faced criticism for favouring agricultural interests over environmental concerns, which has eroded public trust among environmentalists and urban voters. This political tension has exacerbated ahead of the 2027 elections, with opposition parties, including the far-right National Rally, capitalizing on the dissatisfaction linked to environmental and health concerns raised by this pesticide debate [5].
The attempt to reintroduce Acetamiprid was enacted without further parliamentary discussion, despite a nationwide debate, and has been seen as a major breach of trust towards the French people by many critics, according to an open letter signed by around a hundred elected politicians, including mayors, members of parliament, and city councilors, calling for a nationwide environmental debate in the newspaper "Le Monde" [6].
In summary, Acetamiprid remains banned in France, while it remains legal within the EU and in Germany under certain conditions. The ban in France has been a controversial issue among French farmers, and the attempt to reintroduce the insecticide has had significant political implications, impacting public trust in Emmanuel Macron's administration and exacerbating political tensions ahead of the 2027 elections.
References: [1] Le Monde: "La Cour constitutionnelle bloque l'autorisation de l'insecticide Acetamiprid." (2025, July 1) [2] France Info: "Le gouvernement souhaite autoriser l'insecticide Acetamiprid." (2025, June 30) [3] European Commission: "Neonicotinoids: Commission proposes to renew approvals for four pesticides." (2021, December 15) [4] Science Direct: "Neonicotinoid pesticides and their impacts on biodiversity." [5] Politico: "Macron's green gamble: The politics of pesticides in France." (2022, February 23) [6] Le Monde: "Des élus appellent à un débat national sur l'environnement." (2022, February 17)
