< Back to research Générations futures et al v. Ministère de l’Agriculture Reference : 439127 // 2021-891 QPC Complaint date : April 23, 2020 Status : Final judgment Place of jurisdiction : France, Paris Plaintiffs types : Health/Food groups, Consumer Protection Organizations, Environmental NGOs, Medical doctors, Unions Plaintiffs names : Générations Futures, UFC-Que choisir, Collectif de Soutien aux victimes des pesticides de l’Ouest, France Nature Environnement (FNE), Solidaires, Eau et Rivières de Bretagne, Alerte des Médecins sur les Pesticides (AMLP), Vigilance OGM Charentes, Ligue pour la Protection des Oiseaux (LPO), Collectif Victimes des Pesticides des Hauts de France (en soutien) Defendants : Ministère de l'Alimentation, de l'Agriculture et de la Pêche Lawyers : François Lafforgue, Hermine Baron Case nature : Administrative Specificities : Direct action of unconstitutionality Products : All Requests : Cancellation of the ministerial instruction of 3 February 2020, the press release "Safety distance for phytopharmaceutical treatments near dwellings" published on 30 March 2020 and the note "Elements of implementation", in its 4th version of 30 March 2020. Name of the Court : Constitutional Court of Paris, France Jurisdiction level : Court Decision date : March 19, 2021 Decision nature : Positive Decision content : The Council of State refers the matter to the Constitutional Council and stays the decision on the request until the Constitutional Council has ruled. The CC ruled that these provisions were unconstitutional. Legal basis : National law Court Ruling : Link to the ruling Summary : 9 NGOs challenge the ministerial instruction of 3 February 2020, the press release "Safety distance for plant protection treatments near homes" published on 30 March 2020 and the note "Elements of implementation", in its 4th version of 30 March 2020. They consider that the texts are not respected and that they do not adequately protect the health of local populations during this exceptional period of containment. The hearing took place on May 12, 2020, following which the Ministry of Agriculture undertook to remove the press release and the note from the Ministry's website. On 5/15/2020, the interim relief judge rejected the associations' request for lack of urgency. On 05/15/2020, the judge in summary proceedings rejects the NGOs' request for lack of urgency (440211). On 11/10/2020, the NGOs ask the Council of State to refer to the Constitutional Council the question of the conformity with the rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution of the provisions of art. L.235-8 of the rural and maritime fishing code. On 1/4/2021, the Council of State decides to refer the question to the Constitutional Council and to postpone ruling on the request until the Constitutional Council has ruled. On 3/19/2021, the CC ruled that these provisions were unconstitutional. This means that the "commitment charters", which aim to reduce the safety distances between homes and pesticide applications, cannot be implemented. Scientific references : No scientifice reference for this case. Related links : Dossier de Presse de l'association Générations futures Revue de presse de l'association Générations Futures Distances d’épandage de pesticides à proximité des habitations – Décisions en référé du 15 mai Décision du Conseil d'Etat du 04/01/2021 Les « chartes d’engagements », qui encadrent l’usage des pesticides près des habitations, sont jugées « contraires à la Constitution ».