France Faces Backlash Over Return of Banned Bee-Harming Pesticide

Over one million people have signed a petition urging the French government to repeal a controversial law reinstating acetamiprid, a pesticide banned in France since 2018 due to its toxicity to bees. Although permitted under EU regulations, France had previously outlawed its use to protect pollinators. The new legislation, passed on July 8 but not yet enforced, has sparked public outrage, with critics warning of threats to biodiversity, food security, and public health. Initiated by a 23-year-old environmental health student, the petition reflects widespread anxiety about pollinator decline and environmental harm. Supporters of the law, including beet and hazelnut farmers, argue they lack effective pest control alternatives. However, environmentalists caution that reintroducing a substance harmful to bees could further destabilize fragile ecosystems. As pollinators are essential to agriculture and biodiversity, weakening protections amid growing climate challenges could have lasting consequences for nature, food production, and human well-being.

21-07-2025