France to propose pesticide-free buffer zones in residential areas

The French government is preparing to fix a 5m or 10m pesticide-free buffer zone around housing areas, after several local mayors defied the government by banning weed killers like glyphosate in their towns. But environmentalists say such distances fall short of the mark. The government will begin discussing legislation to introduce pesticide-free buffer zones on Monday, an Agriculture Ministry spokesperson told AFP.

The recommendations, in line with those of the French agency for food, environmental, occupational health and safety (Anses), will depend on the crops concerned. Low crops such as vegetables could be subject to a buffer zone of 5 metres, with 10 metres for higher crops such as cereals. The proposed legislation follows growing concerns over the impact pesticide use can have on human health.

Source: RFI, 7 September 2019
http://en.rfi.fr/france/20190907-france-pesticides-buffer-zones