Constitutional Council Strikes Down Pesticide Provision in Duplomb Law

On August 8, 2025, the French Constitutional Council delivered a significant ruling, censoring a controversial provision of the Duplomb law that sought to reintroduce the banned neonicotinoid pesticide acetamipride. This decision highlighted the potential environmental and health risks posed by neonicotinoids, which have been linked to declines in biodiversity and adverse health effects in humans.

The Duplomb law, adopted by Parliament in July 2025, aimed to support beet and hazelnut producers primarily pushed by the powerful agricultural union, FNSEA. However, it faced intense public backlash, culminating in a petition that gathered over 2.1 million signatures against its pesticide provisions. The Council's ruling indicated that the law's approach to pesticide regulation was inadequate according to the Charter of the Environment, primarily due to its failure to impose strict limitations on the use of neonicotinoids.

In explaining their decision, the Council noted that while a temporary exemption for neonicotinoids was granted in 2020, the lack of a time constraint in the Duplomb law, coupled with its broad application to agricultural practices including spraying, led to its downfall. The ruling also reiterated the importance of maintaining rigorous environmental standards, beyond the interests of agricultural efficiency.

Despite this setback, the Council affirmed the legitimacy of the legislative process that produced the Duplomb law, countering objections from left-wing legislators about how amendments were handled in the Assembly. Emmanuel Macron's administration confirmed intentions to promulgate the remaining aspects of the law, which includes provisions to simplify administrative processes for large farms and enhance agricultural water storage, albeit with reservations designed to curtail any potential negative impacts on the environment.

The ruling is a pivotal moment in France's ongoing debate over pesticide use, with a strong focus on balancing agricultural productivity against the urgent need to protect environmental and public health. It demonstrates the growing influence of public sentiment and environmental considerations in shaping political decisions. This ruling signifies a critical point in reevaluating agricultural practices in France, as legislators and stakeholders navigate the complexities of sustainable farming amidst rising ecological awareness.