France’s Constitutional Council on 7 August struck down the most controversial article of the Duplomb farming bill that would have re-authorised acétamipride, a neonicotinoid pesticide banned nationally since 2018. The judges said the measure violated the Environment Charter because it lacked adequate safeguards, but upheld roughly 80 % of the six-article legislation. The bill, adopted by parliament in early July, aimed to ease regulatory ‘over-transpositions’ for farmers and to loosen rules on livestock buildings and water reservoirs. Allowing acétamipride provoked strong opposition from beekeepers, environmental groups and scientists, who argue the chemical endangers pollinators; a petition against the clause drew more than two million signatures, a record for the National Assembly’s website. Farm unions such as the FNSEA and most right-of-centre politicians condemned the ruling as a blow to agricultural competitiveness, noting the pesticide remains authorised elsewhere in the European Union until 2033. Senator Laurent Duplomb said the court’s reasoning leaves room for a new, more tightly framed proposal, and signalled he may draft fresh legislation. Left-wing parties and green organisations hailed the decision as a victory for public health and biodiversity. The Élysée Palace indicated President Emmanuel Macron will enact the remaining provisions of the law in line with the court’s ruling.