Latest news with #Acetamiprid
LeMonde
2 days ago
- Politics
- LeMonde
Anti-pesticide petition: An unprecedented grassroots movement
In just 10 days, a petition on the website of France's Assemblée Nationale, launched by a student who says she has no political affiliation, has garnered more than 1.5 million signatures. The record is striking: Never before had a grassroots initiative of this kind surpassed the 500,000-signature mark. The momentum behind it now appears to be so strong that no one can predict where it will stop. The petition calls for the "immediate repeal" of legislation known as the Duplomb Law, which was definitively adopted on July 8 and provides for rolling back a series of environmental measures. These include speeding up water storage projects, facilitating intensive livestock farming, and, above all, reintroducing certain pesticides, including acetamiprid, a neonicotinoid that has been banned in France since 2018, but still permitted in the European Union until 2033. After intense lobbying, beet and hazelnut producers convinced lawmakers to allow it to be reauthorized for use, arguing that it was their only way to not fall prey to competition from neighboring countries. The unprecedentedly large grassroots movement making itself heard on environmental issues through the now-famous petition has caught everyone off guard. It comes as a contrast to the 2024 European elections, in which, in France and many other European Union countries, environmentalist parties lost ground while the far-right surged in the polls. The petition reveals not only a genuine surge in environmental awareness but also a determination to have an impact when public health is at stake. Acetamiprid has been accused of harming pollinating insects, accumulating in soil and groundwater and posing risks to human health. The petition's many signatories easily identified with its wording, condemning what it described as a "scientific, ethical, environmental and public health aberration." The influence of the FNSEA farming union, which staunchly defends intensive agriculture practices, has undoubtedly also been targeted by the movement. Before becoming a senator (from the right-wing Les Républicains party, LR), Laurent Duplomb, the legislation's author, was the president of a farmers' representative body in central France. Democratically speaking, the grassroots movement's success is significant. Its first effect has been to highlight the French Parliament's recent shortcomings. By surpassing 500,000 signatures, the petitioners have secured the possibility that a public debate on the law could be held when Parliament reconvenes, after the Assemblée, far too divided, failed to hold such a debate when the bill was being examined in late May. A maneuver by the bill's rapporteur, Julien Dive (LR), to initially reject the bill as a way to circumvent obstruction tactics from the left, resulted in the debate being held behind closed doors, conducted in a joint committee composed of seven members of each chamber. While the process was legal, it has proven unsatisfactory. Given the stakes raised by the bill, it was imperative that both sides be able to openly express their positions on it. The petition's second effect has been to put the entire political class on edge. Riding this newfound surge of momentum, the left has vowed to scrap the Duplomb law. However, aside from waiting for the Constitutional Council to decide on the matter, it has fewer options at its disposal than the president, who can request that a new deliberation on the law be held or even hold back on promulgating it, if the public outcry grows further. The petitioners likely did not intend to bring Emmanuel Macron back into the center of the public debate, but the implacable logic of the Fifth Republic has led to just that.
LeMonde
4 days ago
- Politics
- LeMonde
One million sign French petition against law unbanning bee-killing pesticide
More than a million people had by Sunday, July 20, signed a petition urging the French government to ditch a law allowing the reintroduction of a banned pesticide known to kill bees. The so-called "Duplomb law" has stirred public anger for permitting a return of acetamiprid – a chemical known to be toxic to pollinators such as bees and to ecosystems. It was adopted on July 8 but has not yet come into effect. A 23-year-old master's student launched the petition against the law on July 10, with support quickly snowballing with the backing of many, including actors and several left-wing lawmakers. More than 500,000 people signed it in 24 hours from Saturday and Sunday alone. The law's proponents argue farmers face too much regulation in France as is, and allowing them to use acetamiprid again would help reduce the constraints they face. President Assemblée Nationale Yaël Braun-Pivet on Sunday ruled out abandoning the legislation, named after the conservative lawmaker who proposed it, as it would "save a certain number of our farmers." The petition's author, Eléonore Pattery, who describes herself as "a future environmental health professional," called the new law a "scientific, ethical, environmental and public health aberration." "It represents a frontal attack on public health, biodiversity, the coherence of climate policies, food security, and common sense," she said. 'Bee killer' Acetamiprid has been banned in France since 2018, but remains legal within the European Union. The insecticide is particularly sought after by beet and hazelnut growers, who say they have no alternative against pests and face unfair competition. On the other hand, beekeepers have branded the chemical "a bee killer." Its effects on humans are also a source of concern but, in the absence of large-scale studies, its risks remain unclear. The petition calls for the "immediate repeal" of the law and a "citizen-led consultation involving health, agricultural, environmental and legal stakeholders." Petitions do not in themselves trigger a review or repeal of the legislation but unprecedented public support may prompt renewed parliamentary discussion on the matter. Under French rules, if a petition reaches 500,000 verified signatures, the Assemblée Nationale may choose to hold a public debate limited to the content of the petition itself. Braun-Pivet told the broadcaster Franceinfo on Sunday she would be in favour of such a debate, but lawmakers "could not in any case go back on the law which has been voted through." In late June, ahead of the law's passage, several thousand demonstrators – including farmers, environmental organisations and scientists – rallied across France calling for the bill to be withdrawn.
Local France
4 days ago
- Politics
- Local France
Bid to bring back pesticide in France sparks unprecedented petition
The so-called "Duplomb law" has stirred public anger for permitting a return of acetamiprid -- a chemical known to be toxic to pollinators such as bees and to ecosystems. It was adopted on July 8 but has not yet come into effect. The legislation, named after the conservative lawmaker who proposed it, was presented in parliament as a measure to "reduce constraints" on French farmers. But its move to bring back acetamiprid prompted a 23-year-old master's student to launch a petition against it which quickly snowballed, gathering support from many people, including actors and several leftwing lawmakers. The French parliament's official website showed it had accumulated more signatures than any other. At 8:30 pm (1830 GMT) Saturday the counter had passed 620,000. The petition's author, Eleonore Pattery, who describes herself as "a future environmental health professional", called the new law a "scientific, ethical, environmental and public health aberration". Advertisement "It represents a frontal attack on public health, biodiversity, the coherence of climate policies, food security, and common sense," she said. A 'bee killer' Acetamiprid has been banned in France since 2018, but remains legal within the European Union. The insecticide is particularly sought after by beet and hazelnut growers, who say they have no alternative against pests and face unfair competition. On the other hand, beekeepers have described the chemical as "a bee killer". Its effects on humans are also a source of concern but, in the absence of large-scale studies, its risks remain unclear. Advertisement The petition calls for the "immediate repeal" of the law and a "citizen-led consultation involving health, agricultural, environmental and legal stakeholders". Petitions do not in themselves trigger a review or repeal of the legislation but unprecedented public support may prompt renewed parliamentary discussion on the matter. Under French rules, if a petition reaches 500,000 verified signatures, the National Assembly may choose to hold a public debate limited to the content of the petition itself. In late June, before the law's passage, several thousand demonstrators — including farmers, environmental organisations and scientists — rallied across France calling for the bill to be withdrawn.
eNCA
4 days ago
- Politics
- eNCA
Bid to bring back pesticide in France sparks unprecedented petition
PARIS - A new law in France allowing the reintroduction of a banned pesticide has sparked a massive response for a petition opposing it, which on Saturday had gathered more than 600,000 signatures. The so-called "Duplomb law" has stirred public anger for permitting a return of acetamiprid -- a chemical known to be toxic to pollinators such as bees and to ecosystems. It was adopted on July 8 but has not yet come into effect. The legislation, named after the conservative lawmaker who proposed it, was presented in parliament as a measure to "reduce constraints" on French farmers. But its move to bring back acetamiprid prompted a 23-year-old master's student to launch a petition against it which quickly snowballed, gathering support from many people, including actors and several leftwing lawmakers. The French parliament's official website showed it had accumulated more signatures than any other. At 8:30pm Saturday the counter had passed 620,000. The petition's author, Eleonore Pattery, who describes herself as "a future environmental health professional", called the new law a "scientific, ethical, environmental and public health aberration". "It represents a frontal attack on public health, biodiversity, the coherence of climate policies, food security, and common sense," she said. - A 'bee killer' - Acetamiprid has been banned in France since 2018, but remains legal within the European Union. The insecticide is particularly sought after by beet and hazelnut growers, who say they have no alternative against pests and face unfair competition. On the other hand, beekeepers have described the chemical as "a bee killer". Its effects on humans are also a source of concern but, in the absence of large-scale studies, its risks remain unclear. The petition calls for the "immediate repeal" of the law and a "citizen-led consultation involving health, agricultural, environmental and legal stakeholders". Petitions do not in themselves trigger a review or repeal of the legislation but unprecedented public support may prompt renewed parliamentary discussion on the matter. Under French rules, if a petition reaches 500,000 verified signatures, the National Assembly may choose to hold a public debate limited to the content of the petition itself. In late June, before the law's passage, several thousand demonstrators — including farmers, environmental organisations and scientists — rallied across France calling for the bill to be withdrawn.
Express Tribune
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Senate body reviews reforms to boost agricultural exports
Listen to article The Senate Standing Committee on National Food Security and Research, led by Senator Syed Masroor Ahsan, visited the Department of Plant Protection (DPP) head office to review key interventions made for improving sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) compliance and curbing maximum residue limit (MRL) violations in agricultural exports, particularly rice. The visit comes as recent reforms, spurred by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, have already led to a marked decline in export interceptions and noticeable improvements in compliance standards. The committee was briefed in detail by senior DPP officials, including Tahir Abbas (Director General), Muhammad Ishfaque (Deputy Director Quarantine) and Muhammad Basit (Director Quarantine), on the measures taken to align Pakistan's export framework with international food safety and plant protection standards. The committee noted the significant strides made in improving compliance, especially in light of the prime minister's directives issued in December 2024, which called for legal action against negligent officers and the immediate establishment of pesticide residue testing laboratories. These directives have shown concrete results. In 2023, Pakistan faced 61 interceptions of rice consignments by the European Union due to higher MRL and aflatoxins. The number rose to 106 in 2024, with 73 linked directly to pesticide residues. However, following reforms, the year 2025 has seen a notable decline, with only 30 interceptions recorded so far – just 13 related to MRL and 15 to aflatoxins. This decline is attributed to intensified monitoring, awareness campaigns for exporters and closer coordination between the DPP, provincial departments and industry stakeholders. Notably, pesticides such as Acetamiprid, Chlorpyrifos, Imidacloprid and Thiamethoxam were identified as primary contributors to MRL breaches. The committee also discussed progress in the maize sector. Maize is Pakistan's third major food grain, with annual production of 10.634 million tonnes over 1.72 million hectares. In 2023-24, exports peaked at 1.837 million tonnes but declined sharply in 2024-25 to just over 786,000 tonnes. While high domestic prices contributed to this drop, phytosanitary interceptions by Vietnam due to Khapra Beetle infestation also played a role. Following Vietnam's third warning and 72 reported interceptions, the DPP imposed a temporary two-week export ban and suspended responsible fumigators. Corrective actions such as the registration of 63 compliant storage godowns, traceability protocols and pest-specific fumigation SOPs were implemented. Additional efforts included stakeholder meetings, strict inspection regimes and firm control over the use of jute bags — a major source of infestation. The committee turned its attention to mango exports, with special emphasis on high-end markets such as Japan, Korea and the US, which have strict protocols including hot water treatment (HWT) and vapour heat treatment, among others. While the DPP has developed SOPs and installed CCTV surveillance systems for monitoring HWT facilities, the chairman raised concerns over operational irregularities.
