Senate debate on pesticides

On Thursday, October 22, senators debated the phase-out of pesticides at the initiative of the Ecologists. The discussion took place at the Senate, where the Ecologist group had initially planned to defend a bill aimed at reducing the maximum allowed level of cadmium in fertilizers.

Shift in Ecologist strategy

However, they ultimately decided not to present their law, fearing that the right would "torpedo" it by adopting a smaller reduction in cadmium content. Instead, the Ecologists requested a debate on the phase-out of pesticides and the fight against cancer, in the presence of Mathieu Lefèvre, the minister delegate for the Ecological Transition.

Debate during "pink month"

The debate, which occurred during "pink month," a time dedicated to raising awareness about breast cancer, was shunned by the vast majority of right-wing elected officials and lasted less than an hour and a half with a dozen interventions.

Denial of pesticide-cancer link

Senator Vincent Louault of Horizons denied any link between the increase in the number of cancers and pesticides, describing the debate as "another polemical debate." He preferred the term "crop protection products" and omitted the role of biocides in the cancer epidemic.

Evidence of pesticide risks

He argued that the increase in cancer cases is primarily due to the aging population and improved screening. However, evidence continues to accumulate on this issue, including the 2021 Inserm expertise. The number of prostate cancer patients seeking compensation from the victims of pesticides fund continues to rise, and more doctors and researchers are demanding a drastic reduction in these toxic products.

Criticism of Ecologists' approach

Senator Louault accused the Ecologists of creating a culture of distrust towards science and of "instrumentalizing fear." He called them sowers of doubt and conspirators, a paradox given that agrochemical industries have imposed their substances by spreading "false science."

Defending agrochemicals

He also stated that "with you, the herbal tea sellers have a bright future ahead" and emphasized that "crop protection products are vital for the survival of farms," claiming that France produces "the healthiest food in the world." He warned that the Ecologists' proposals would lead to importing more foreign products.

Government's environmental record

Mathieu Lefèvre, the minister delegate for the Ecological Transition, indicated that he "shares" the vision of an "ecology not bogged down in any dogmatism," particularly that of the left, which he said consists of claiming that everything can be resolved by tax and regulation. He defended the record of Macron's government in terms of environmental health, citing the protection of water sources, although this is largely lacking.

Left-wing influence on policies

The other "advances" claimed, such as the reduction of cadmium levels, the ban on importing products treated with banned pesticides, and the strengthened monitoring of PFAS, were pushed into the debate and the government agenda by left-wing parties.

Failure of pesticide reduction plans

The Ecophyto plans, which were supposed to reduce dependence on pesticides, are considered a failure, and the number of farms engaged in organic farming has declined. Six months before the election, right-wing and center senators confirmed the disinterest of their parties in environmental health.

Rejection of health-focused proposals

At the beginning of October, right-wing presidential candidates had flatly refused to participate in the pesticide debate organized with their competitors. Another proposal by the Ecologists, which aimed to create a basket of 100 healthy and quality food products sold at cost price in large stores, was rejected by the right and centrist majority.