French President Emmanuel Macron has signed into law a modified bill that permanently blocks the reintroduction of a controversial bee-killing pesticide, following a petition backed by more than two million signatures.
The legislation—dubbed the Duplomb Law after its author, right-wing Republican senator Laurent Duplomb—had divided France’s parliament since its adoption in July. The Constitutional Council, France’s highest court, struck down a key provision allowing the use of acetamiprid, a neonicotinoid insecticide banned in the country since 2018 but still permitted in the European Union.
In its ruling, the court declared acetamiprid unconstitutional, citing “risks to human health” and a violation of the nation’s environmental charter, which guarantees the right to live in a balanced, healthy environment.
France’s main farmers’ union has condemned the decision, warning that the ban will hurt competitiveness against European rivals who still use the pesticide. Supporters of the petition, however, say the victory is not just about protecting bees—it reflects broader frustration with a deadlocked parliament and a growing demand for public influence in political decisions.
Macron, rejecting calls for further debate, moved swiftly to enact the court-backed bill. Meanwhile, Health Minister Yannick Neuder has urged a European-wide review of acetamiprid’s impact on human health.
