France's prime minister said on Monday a ban on bee-harming pesticides would go into force as planned in 2018 following a public disagreement between his farm and environment ministers, reports Reuters.
At issue is a law banning widely used neonicotinoids after research pointed to risks that they could harm bees, which play a crucial role pollinating crops.
The full ban goes beyond EU restrictions that only apply to a few neonicotinoid chemicals, produced by companies including Bayer CropScience and Syngenta.
"The government has decided not to reverse the provisions of the 2016 law," prime minister Édouard Philippe said in a statement, adding that the question had been discussed but the ban was reconfirmed on June 21.
Agriculture Minister Stephane Travert had earlier told RMC radio and BFM TV that he was in favour of softening the ban.
"I want to address ... the possibility of a number of exemptions until we find substitution products," Travert said.
Environment Minister Nicolas Hulot replied on Twitter and in comments to journalists, saying there was no question of going back on the ban.
"Whenever health is at stake, I will not make any concession," he told reporters.