Emergency farm bill heads to French Senate amid government concerns over pesticides

France's Senate is poised to debate an emergency agricultural bill on Monday, a legislative move that has the government expressing significant concern. Dominated by an alliance of right-wing and centrist parties, the Senate intends to go further than the government's initial proposal. It aims to further lift constraints on farmers across several key sectors, including water management and addressing wolf predation.

The bill, adopted by the National Assembly in early June with broad support, is presented as a response to the farmer protests that swept France earlier this year. However, the Senate's proposed amendments, particularly those concerning pesticides, have drawn sharp criticism. The Senate's text includes provisions for the regulated reintroduction of two insecticides, acetamiprid and flupyradifurone, which are currently banned in France but permitted elsewhere in Europe.

These measures echo aspects of a previous law, the Duplomb law, which was struck down by the Constitutional Council last year following strong opposition from environmental groups. Proponents hope the revised measures will pass judicial scrutiny. Environmental associations and the left-wing opposition are vehemently protesting the potential reintroduction of these pesticides, citing risks to biodiversity and human health.

The government, while supporting the bill's overall aim, has publicly voiced its unease. It fears that the Senate's more aggressive stance, especially on pesticides, could inflame political tensions and public opinion. The government is reportedly considering proposing an amendment to remove these specific pesticide provisions from the bill.