French anti-pesticide petition highlights clash between 'elite democracy and people’s democracy'
A public petition launched in France against new legislation that will allow the use of a previously-banned pesticide has gathered close to two million signatures. Among other measures aimed at the agriculture industry, the so-called 'loi Duplomb' will once again permit farmers to spray crops with acetamiprid, a neonicotinoid insecticide known to be harmful to pollinators such as bees. In an interview with Mediapart, political scientist Vincent Tiberj says he views the success of the petition as a sign of the strength of citizen democracy and its resistance against a rightwards shift in French political life. Interview by Mathieu Dejean.
AApublic petition has been launched in France against new farming legislation which was passed in controversial circumstances. Among other measures aimed at reducing “constraints” on the agricultural sector, the so-called 'loi Duplomb' will once again permit the use of acetamiprid, a neonicotinoid insecticide known to be harmful to pollinators such as bees.
