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PoliticsFrench government fears rejection of agricultural emergency bill over pesticide clause
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French minister Sébastien Lecornu has asked ministers involved in the agricultural emergency bill to consult parliamentary groups, as the government fears the text may be rejected in the National Assembly. The concern follows a joint committee compromise on July 16 that includes highly contested measures: the reintroduction of two EU-authorized but France-banned pesticides (acetamiprid and flupyradifurone) for struggling sectors, and water management changes such as doubling agricultural water storage by 2035. The Renaissance group is meeting to find a common position. The Minister of Ecological Transition, Monique Barbut, is worried about water agency oversight changes. The government can still amend the text before the final vote.
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Corn harvest in Thun-l'Évêque (Nord), September 29, 2022. PASCAL ROSSIGNOL / REUTERS
Sébastien Lecornu has asked ministers involved in the agricultural emergency bill "to consult the political groups in the Assembly to gather their analysis and position," his entourage announced on Friday. The government fears the text may be rejected, despite the compromise reached the day before by deputies and senators, which has not quelled criticism.
Joint Committee Agreement
After more than six hours of discussion, 14 parliamentarians from the Senate and the National Assembly, meeting in a joint committee, presented a common text on Thursday. The agreement includes highly contested measures regarding:
- Water management
- Reintroduction of two pesticides — acetamiprid and flupyradifurone — banned in France but authorized in the European Union, for a handful of struggling sectors
This point embarrasses the central bloc, which is divided on the issue.
Risk of Rejection
Mr. Lecornu's entourage had mentioned on Thursday morning "the risk that the entire text would be rejected in the National Assembly" if this measure were maintained. The Renaissance group is set to meet early this afternoon to try to find a common position, Agence France-Presse learned from the group.
Read also | Article reserved for our subscribers Agricultural emergency law: parliamentary agreement to favor the reintroduction of banned pesticides and water storage
Water Management Concerns
The text also includes a highly criticized section on water management and governance. Senators have accepted some concessions, but measures such as changing the oversight of water agencies or doubling agricultural water storage capacity by 2035 worry the Minister of Ecological Transition, Monique Barbut. The government can still amend the text until the last minute during the final review of the bill.
Read also the analysis | Article reserved for our subscribers Agricultural emergency bill: the Senate's hardening of water articles puts the government in a bind
Le Monde with AFP
Source
Politique : Toute l’actualité sur Le Monde.fr.Western
Part of this Story
French Senate Passes Emergency Farm Bill Allowing Banned Pesticides