‘Scandalous, irrational and irresponsible’: French beekeepers’ fury at lifting of pesticides ban

A beekeeper holds a honeycomb with dead bees on it during a 2018 demonstration in Paris over the impact of agricultural chemicals on bees. Photograph: François Mori/AP

Beekeepers and environmentalists in France have reacted furiously after parliament approved a bill reauthorising two banned pesticides scientists say can poison bees.

“There are no words to describe the frustration,” said Carolyn Bouguet, a beekeeper in Essonne, greater Paris. “Bee populations have already been badly compromised by climate change, new parasites and loss of habitat. And now this.”