Plan to reintroduce banned pesticide in France overruled by constitutional council

Duplomb law' provision to allow use of acetamiprid, toxic to pollinators, found not to abide by environmental charter

France's top constitutional authority has ruled against the reintroduction of a pesticide that is harmful to ecosystems, saying it is unconstitutional.

The decision on Thursday night deals a blow to the government. It comes after weeks of opposition from the left, environmentalists and doctors, and a record-breaking 2m signatures on a petition against a bill that would have allowed a pesticide banned in France in 2020 to come back into use.