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France's Ecophyto Plan Faces Legal Challenge
Environmental groups are suing France over its new Ecophyto plan, claiming it weakens pesticide reduction targets and uses misleading metrics.
French
France
HealthClimate ChangeFranceEnvironmentLawsuitPolicyAgriculturePesticides
Notre Affaire
À TousGénérations FuturesBiodiversité Sous Nos PiedsAssociation Pour La Protection Des Animaux SauvagesFnsea
François Veillerette
- Why do environmental groups consider the change in the reference period problematic?
- The change in reference period from 2015-2017 (peak pesticide use) to 2011-2013 (lower use) makes the reduction target appear less ambitious. While the shift to 2011-2013 is seen as an improvement, environmental groups argue the ideal reference period would be even earlier, from 2009-2011, to reflect the initial baseline.
- What is the main criticism of environmental groups regarding France's new Ecophyto plan?
- Environmental groups are challenging France's new Ecophyto plan, arguing it abandons the 50% pesticide reduction target by 2030. They claim the plan uses a new indicator (HRI1) that masks the actual increase in pesticide use, and changed the reference period to lower baseline numbers.
- How does the change in indicators (from Nodu to HRI1) affect the perception of pesticide reduction?
- The new plan replaces the Nodu indicator with HRI1, shifting focus from the quantity of pesticides used to their hazard level. This change is criticized because it shows a decrease despite an actual increase in pesticide use according to the old measure. The groups believe this manipulation allows the plan to appear more successful than it actually is.
- What are the farmers' concerns, and what is the position of environmental groups on the overall situation?
- Farmers are planning another national mobilization due to financial difficulties and concerns about a potential free-trade agreement with Mercosur, fearing the influx of cheaper competitive products. The environmental groups believe that abandoning environmental regulations won't address farmers' concerns effectively.
- What are the plan's provisions for finding alternatives to pesticides, and what are the environmental groups' objections?
- The plan allocates €250 million to research alternative solutions to pesticides, including biocontrol methods. However, the associations object to the principle that the absence of a solution justifies delaying or abandoning pesticide bans, deeming it illegal and environmentally unsound.