A new French law allowing the return of a controversial pesticide has triggered public outcry, with a petition opposing it surpassing one million signatures by July 20 and becoming the most signed on the French parliament’s official website.
The so-called "Duplomb law," passed on July 8 but not yet in effect, would reauthorize the use of acetamiprid, a pesticide banned in France since 2018 due to its harmful impact on bees and ecosystems. Although still legal in the EU, its reintroduction in France has alarmed environmentalists.
The law, introduced by a conservative lawmaker to ease restrictions on farmers, sparked immediate backlash. A 23-year-old master's student, Eleonore Pattery, launched the petition, calling the law “a scientific, ethical, environmental, and public health aberration.” She described it as a direct threat to biodiversity and food safety.
France’s renewed debate over pesticides highlights a broader global issue. From densely populated nations to small island states, the pressure to produce perfect-looking, abundant crops has made pesticide use a common solution. However, this growing dependence comes at a cost. Pesticides can pose serious risks to human health and have lasting negative impacts on soil, water, and surrounding ecosystems.
In this gallery, we take a look at some regions of the world that have the highest use of pesticides. Click on to know more.