Latest news with #Duplomblaw
The Sun
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Sun
France petition against bee-killing pesticide gains 2 million signatures
PARIS: A student-led petition against a pesticide deadly to bees has surpassed two million signatures in France, intensifying calls for President Emmanuel Macron to reject a controversial bill permitting its use. The legislation, passed on July 8 without full parliamentary debate, would reintroduce acetamiprid, a chemical banned in France since 2018 but still legal in the EU. The petition, launched on July 10 by a 23-year-old master's student, has gained rapid support, including from 400 culinary professionals like Michelin-starred chefs, who condemned the 'blindness of our politicians.' Beet and hazelnut farmers argue they need the pesticide to combat pests and remain competitive, despite its ecological risks. A recent poll in La Tribune Dimanche revealed 64% of respondents oppose the bill, urging Macron to send it back for parliamentary review. The president awaits a ruling from the Constitutional Council on August 7 regarding the law's legality. Dubbed the Duplomb law after its author, Senator Laurent Duplomb, the legislation faces growing public resistance. While 500,000 signatures triggered eligibility for a public debate, discussions would focus only on the petition, not the law itself. – AFP
LeMonde
2 days ago
- Politics
- LeMonde
French petition against pesticide reaches two million signatories
A student-led petition against a chemical deadly to bees reached more than two million signatures in France on Monday, July 28, increasing pressure on the president not to sign a bill allowing its use into law. The legislation was adopted on July 8, but without a proper debate to bypass gridlock in a bitterly divided parliament. On July 10, a 23-year-old master's student launched a petition urging the French government to drop the law allowing the reintroduction of acetamiprid, a pesticide that is harmful to ecosystems but popular with many farmers in Europe. Banned in France since 2018, the chemical remains legal in 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. The petition on France's lower-house Assemblée Nationale's website had garnered more than 2,015,000 signatures on Monday morning. Backers at the height of summer include 400 people from the culinary world, including Michelin-starred chefs, who have criticized the "blindness of our politicians." According to a poll published in La Tribune Dimanche on Sunday, 64% of people surveyed hope Macron will not sign the bill into law but will instead submit it to a new debate in parliament. Macron has said he is waiting to hear the verdict of the Constitutional Council, which is expected to rule on the constitutionality of the law on August 7. The contested legislation is dubbed the Duplomb law, after its author, Laurent Duplomb, a senator for the right-wing Republicans party. The petition reached 500,000 signatures last weekend, a threshold after which the lower house may choose to hold a public debate, but that would be limited to the content of the petition – not the law itself.
France 24
5 days ago
- Politics
- France 24
French anger over toxic chemical piles pressure on Macron
On July 10, a 23-year-old master's student launched a petition urging the French government to drop legislation allowing the reintroduction of acetamiprid, a pesticide that is harmful to ecosystems but popular with many farmers in Europe. Banned in France since 2018, the chemical remains legal in the European Union, and proponents say French farmers need it to help them compete. Support for the petition spread like wildfire, with university lecturers, actors, left-wing lawmakers and star chefs backing it. It had racked up 1.9 million signatures by Thursday afternoon. The controversial legislation is dubbed the Duplomb law, after its author, Laurent Duplomb, a senator for the right-wing Republicans party. The bill was adopted on July 8, but without a proper debate, to bypass gridlock in a bitterly divided parliament. Signatories of the petition have urged President Emmanuel Macron not to sign it into law. The petition calls the legislation a "frontal attack on public health". But supporters say their frustration goes beyond environmental concerns. Commentators say it may be a sign of exasperation with deadlock in a hung parliament and a desire to have a greater say in political matters. Elodie Germain, 46, said the mobilisation represents a form of "democratic revenge", after Macron forced a controversial pension reform through parliament in 2023 and dissolved the lower chamber last year, sparking political turmoil that resulted in a hung parliament. "There is of course an environmental aspect behind my signature, but there is also a lot of frustration," said Germain. "After the pension reform and the dissolution, here we have another example of a bill being forced through parliament." 'Blindness of our politicians' Francois Veillerette of environmental association Generations Futures struck a similar note. "People have felt for months that they are not being listened to," he said. Such is the success of the mobilisation that representatives of France's culinary world, usually reticent about airing political views, published an open letter calling for the withdrawal of the legislation and a moratorium on pesticide use. "We are appalled by the blindness of our politicians and their now all-too-obvious ties to the agro-industry," said the letter, which has collected signatures from nearly 400 people, including Michelin-starred chefs and restaurateurs. "We, restaurateurs, work hard, we keep our mouths shut and get on with it," said Glenn Viel, a celebrated 3-star Michelin chef. "But at some point, you have to bang your fist on the table." Jacques Marcon, another 3-star Michelin chef, said he was ready to become "a true activist for the agricultural and environmental cause". Newspaper Le Monde said the petition had put politicians on edge. "The unprecedentedly large grassroots movement making itself heard on environmental issues through the now-famous petition has caught everyone off guard," it said in an editorial. The petition has drawn attention to parliament's "shortcomings", it added. 'Completely abnormal' In France, if a petition submitted on the National Assembly's website reaches 500,000 signatures, parliament's lower house may choose to hold a public debate, limited to the content of the petition. While any review of the legislation is unlikely at this stage, the government is under increasing pressure to respond. France has a long history of mass protests, including the yellow vest protests for economic justice. The grassroots movement began in 2018 with a petition calling for lower fuel prices. Several left-wing parties and environmental associations have urged Macron to demand a "new deliberation" of the legislation in parliament. On Wednesday, Macron said he would wait for the conclusions of the Constitutional Council, due to rule on the validity of the legislation by August 10, according to the government spokeswoman. Experts warn that if no solution is found, the situation could breed even more frustration. Guillaume Gourgues, a lecturer in political science at the University of Lyon 2, who signed the petition, said it was "completely abnormal" that there was no outlet in France for "a mobilisation of this magnitude". "No one has the slightest idea what this will achieve," he said, referring to the proposed parliamentary debate. Gally Vangeenberghe, a 21-year-old sales assistant from the northern city of Lille, said the fact the legislation had been adopted without debate was "heresy." "I find it unacceptable." la-sde-dep-egn-cgc-as/ah/jhb © 2025 AFP
The Sun
21-07-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
French petition hits 1mn signatures against bee-killing pesticide
PARIS: More than one million people have signed a petition urging the French government to scrap a controversial law allowing the reintroduction of acetamiprid, a pesticide banned since 2018 due to its harmful effects on bees. The petition, launched by a 23-year-old environmental health student, gained rapid support, with over 500,000 signatures added in just 24 hours over the weekend. The 'Duplomb law,' named after the conservative lawmaker who proposed it, permits the use of acetamiprid despite scientific evidence linking it to bee population decline. Supporters argue the pesticide is necessary for farmers, particularly beet and hazelnut growers, who claim they lack alternatives against pests. However, critics, including beekeepers and environmentalists, label it a 'bee killer' and warn of broader ecological damage. National Assembly Speaker Yael Braun-Pivet dismissed calls to abandon the law, stating it would 'save a certain number of our farmers.' Meanwhile, petition author Eleonore Pattery condemned the legislation as a 'scientific, ethical, environmental, and public health aberration.' The petition demands an immediate repeal and a citizen-led consultation involving health, agricultural, and environmental experts. While petitions do not automatically trigger legal changes, surpassing 500,000 signatures could prompt a parliamentary debate. Green party leader Marine Tondelier has called on President Emmanuel Macron to intervene. Acetamiprid remains legal in the EU but has faced scrutiny for its disorienting effects on bees. Its impact on human health remains uncertain due to insufficient large-scale studies.
New Straits Times
20-07-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
French pesticide law sparks outcry
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 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 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 on 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". 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. AFP
