A large triumph for democracy, for public health and for the planet! Yesterday, Thursday 7 August 2025, the French Constitutional Council canceled one of the key articles of the notorious Duplicomb law that would have allowed, even if in limited cases, the reintroduction of acetamiprid, dangerous pesticide prohibited since 2018 for its devastating effects on bees and pollinating insects.
This victory comes after an extraordinary mobilization from below. A petition, led by young students and supported by environmental associations, ordinary citizens, scientists and beekeepers has collected over two million signatures, thus becoming one of the largest ever recorded in French history. And the message arrived strong and clear: the protection of the environment and biodiversity is too important and you do not accept steps back!
The Duplicomb law, hastily approved in July and supported by government and agricultural unions, aimed to loosen the rules for farmers and encourage projects such as water storage. But his most controversial point remained the reopening to the use of acetamiprid, a pesticide that science has shown to be harmful not only for bees, but also for human health.
The decision of the Constitutional Council
The Constitutional Council partially censored the Duplicomb law, declaring article 2 unconstitutional, which allowed generic derogations to the prohibition of use of neonicotinoids. This rule was considered contrary to the fundamental right of living in a balanced and respectful environment of health, a right sanctioned by the environmental paper, incorporated into the French Constitution since 2005.
The Commission highlighted how the derogation was too wide, concerned all agricultural sectors, was not limited over time and authorized even the most risky uses, such as spraying, thus violating the precautionary principle in the face of environmental dangers.
This decision represents an important precedent, it is in fact the first time that a law is censored precisely in the name of the environment card. Let’s not forget that it also has another great primacy: it is the result of an exceptional mobilization, with over 2 million signatures collected in the second most signed petition in French history.
Obviously, the joy of environmentalists, activists and citizens who have contributed to obtaining this great result is great.
But we must not lower the guard, the mobilization continues because, as activists point out, the debate has just begun and the law must be completely repealed.
This historic French victory is a very strong signal for all of Europe, in fact it shows that the union between citizens, scientists and associations can really stop political decisions harmful to the environment and for the common good.
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