French Environment Minister resigns over agriculture law:Opposes pesticide approval, says it threatens bees

France’s Environment Minister Monique Barbu has announced her resignation in protest against a controversial agricultural bill that allows the use of two previously banned pesticides. According to the Associated Press (AP), scientists have warned that these pesticides could harm bees and other pollinating insects. Barbu is expected to formally submit her resignation to President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday. The French parliament passed the bill on Tuesday, with the government arguing that the legislation aims to support farmers struggling with falling incomes and rising agricultural costs. Two provisions of the bill sparked the most controversy 1. Temporarily approving the use of banned pesticides acetamiprid and flupyradifurone. These can be used in the cultivation of sugar beet, apples, and cherries. 2. Doubling the limit for farmers to store water (water storage) in the next 10 years. Environmentalists and even within the government have increasingly opposed these provisions. In protest, Environment Minister Monique Barbu has decided to resign. She alleged that, contrary to the promise made to her, the government did not allow any discussion on removing this provision. Barbu wrote on social media, “In the last nine months, I have worked to protect forests, clean water, clean air, fertile soil, and biodiversity. But now I have to admit that the opposing forces have become so strong that I cannot achieve my goals.” Meanwhile, the government says that the decision to introduce new provisions was taken to help farmers who are going through a difficult period. This pesticide has been controversial before Acetamiprid and flupyradifurone chemicals belong to the group of insecticides called neonicotinoids. Under European Union (EU) regulations, their use is permitted with certain conditions, but they are currently banned in France. France banned acetamiprid in 2018, as it was considered harmful to bees and other pollinating insects. Attempts were made to lift the ban on this chemical a year ago, but the French Supreme Court rejected it. The Court had stated that this decision was not in line with the protection of the environment and future generations. ​