The neonicotinoids will be banned in France from September, 2018

THE neonicotinoid insecticide family, a product thought to be behind the collapse of bee populations, will be banned in France from September, 2018. MPs voted through an amendment banning the insecticide as part of a debate on the law for the reclamation of biodiversity. The original amendment had sought to ban the products at the start of January 2017, but after discussions among MPs who raised concerns about the impact on farmers, a delay of 18 months was granted as a compromise. Furthermore the bill gives the environment ministry the power to issue further bans on similar substitute products, on the advice of health body the Agence nationale de sécurité sanitaire (Anses). “We have reversed the mechanics: the ban on neonicotinoids has become the rule and their use the exception,” said MP and former ecology minister Delphine Batho. The measure must still be confirmed by the Senate in a debate likely to be held before the summer. The ban includes the use of seeds treated with the chemical.

During the two-day debate the Agricultural Minister Stéphane Le Foll took the rare step of addressing the National Assembly, asking that they avoid an outright ban on all pesticides.

Such a steps would create “distortions between French agriculture and the rest of Europe” he said, adding that no credible alternatives had been found.

The head of the national union of beekeepers said that since the introduction of neonicotinoids to France in 1994, more than 300,000 bee colonies had died off.

Honey production in France reached an all-time low in 2014 when just 10,000 tonnes was made, compared to 32,000 in 1995.

However last year beekeepers reported the first rise in production following the instigation of a three-year €40million bee plan in 2013.

The insecticides were originally introduced because they were less harmful to mammals and birds, however their effect on insects has had a knock-on effect on pollinators and subsequently the wider environment. - See more at: http://www.connexionfrance.com/neonicotinoids-ban-France-view-article.h…