La loi Duplomb

[Blaze]

I don't know if anyone has been following this ......

Very briefly, the aim of the Loi Duplomb was to lift restrictions for farmers on the use of pesticides, one in particular, which has been banned in France since 2020. This pesticide, l’acétamipride, is a néonicotinoïde pesticide (sorry, don't know what it's called in English) was banned because of its effect of wiping out pollinating insects.
It is also considered to be a health hazard to humans, particularly anyone living in proximity to farms where such products are used.

A petition was raised, with over 2 million signatures and after a bumpy ride, the Conseil constitutionnel has said No to the reintroduction of this pesticide. Their vote overrides that of the Assemblée, who voted for the reintroduction.
Now it's up to Macron to make sure the decision of the CC is adhered to if he wants to retain any sort of credibility. If it were the Orange One, there would be no guarantees ....

Many farmers are not happy but if they want my support, they've got to stop poisoning the environment.

[exile]

Neonicotinoids @Blaze and yes an environmental disaster in the making/

Sugar beet yields are just not worth this.

[Blaze]

Having succeeded with this (for the moment ...), I wonder if one day someone will ban farmers from using glyphosate. I won't hold my breath.

[Lori]

Having succeeded with this (for the moment ...), I wonder if one day someone will ban farmers from using glyphosate. I won't hold my breath.

I thought that was banned. Isn't that what Round-Up was ?

[MAD87]

It's time all those "clever" diplomés raking it in from commitee membership did some work and came up with some benign solutions to vegetable pests. If gardeners and UK farmers can do it by sowing strips of wildflowers in their gardens and fields then so can the French.

[Hotrodder]

Having succeeded with this (for the moment ...), I wonder if one day someone will ban farmers from using glyphosate. I won't hold my breath.

I thought that was banned. Isn't that what Round-Up was ?

Yes. Glyphosate was the primary ingredient of Round-Up. The political clout of the farmers managed to get them concessions. No government can oppose them effectively.

[curtis]

Comme les chasseurs

[Biloute]

I'm not an expert on pesticides and insecticides, so I won't judge whether neonicotinoids, including acetamiprid, can be used or not.
However, I note the following curious facts:
- The beets aren't flowering when the products are used: so, what danger is there for bees?
- Acetamiprid is authorized throughout the EU except France: is it only dangerous here?
- Will France ban imports of all plants grown with acetamiprid? And if so, will the EU accept this?
- The Duplomb Law was passed by Parliament, in the name of the people, since its members were democratically elected. Does it make sense for the Constitutional Council, whose members are not elected, to overturn a law passed by the people's elected representatives? If so, we should abolish Parliament and we'll save a lot of money!

[Blaze]

If so, we should abolish Parliament and we'll save a lot of money!

Keep an eye on what is happening in the US, Biloute, and you will see what happens when one person thinks he's above democracy !

[Hotrodder]

You make a good point, Blaze. Although you fail to mention the ongoing "bromance" with Putin putting the whole world at risk.