Emergency agricultural law: MPs adopt the text with the exceptional reintroduction of pesticides

The National Assembly adopted the emergency agricultural bill by 296 votes to 224, paving the way for its final adoption after review by the Senate. Eagerly awaited by agricultural organizations but fiercely opposed by environmentalists, the bill notably provides for the possibility of granting exemptions for the use of two pesticides banned in France, acetamiprid and flupyradifurone, in certain sectors facing economic difficulties. The bill was supported by the National Rally and a large part of the majority, while the entire left voted against it.

The debate surrounding acetamiprid has caused tensions even within the government. Several members of parliament from the Renaissance, MoDem, and LIOT groups attempted to remove this provision, recalling that Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu had previously expressed reservations about its reintroduction. However, the government refused to allow these amendments to be considered, provoking strong criticism from several members of the majority, who denounced it as an attack on parliamentary debate.

A text that deeply divides the political and agricultural world

In addition to pesticides, the bill includes several measures designed to support the agricultural sector, particularly regarding water management and irrigation. However, an article concerning water storage was removed during the debates, as the government considered it potentially unconstitutional because it would limit the possibilities for reducing water withdrawals.

The text continues to generate strong opposition. La France Insoumise, the Socialist Party, and the Greens have announced their intention to appeal to the Constitutional Council after the bill's final adoption. Several environmental organizations, including Greenpeace, Générations Futures, and the Confédération Paysanne, have also protested against what they consider a rollback of environmental protections. Conversely, the FNSEA hailed it as "a major turning point" for French agriculture, believing that these measures will help preserve the competitiveness of several agricultural sectors facing competition from Europe, where these substances remain authorized under certain conditions.