#2025-365Law on Improving Plant Disease Treatment Using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
AI-generated summary for informational purposes only. Not legal advice. See the original source for the authoritative text.
Law LOI n° 2025-365 aims to improve the treatment of diseases affecting plant crops using unmanned aerial vehicles for the aerial application of phytopharmaceutical products. It replaces the restrictions on aerial spraying with provisions that allow temporary authorization for specific cases related to severe health threats and conditions that provide clear advantages for human health and the environment compared to ground application. Additionally, it introduces trial programs to evaluate the effectiveness of aerial spraying in different agricultural settings, subject to approvals and evaluations by relevant national agencies.
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Key Changes
- Aerial spraying of phytopharmaceuticals is generally prohibited, but exceptions are permitted under strict conditions.
- Temporary authorization for aerial spraying can be granted for health emergencies and where environmental benefits are demonstrated.
- Trial programs for aerial application are established to assess safety and effectiveness before broader application.
Obligations
What this law requires
Aerial spraying of phytopharmaceutical products is prohibited, except as provided in sections I bis and I ter
Obtain temporary authorization by joint ministerial order from the ministers of environment, agriculture, and health before conducting aerial spraying to combat serious health threats that cannot be controlled by other means
Obtain authorization through joint ministerial order (after ANSES consultation and professional organization consultation) before implementing aerial application programs using unmanned aerial vehicles for biocontrol products, organic farming products, or low-risk products on slopes ≥20%, banana plantations, or vine rootstock plots
Conduct trial programs for aerial unmanned vehicle applications on non-specified crop types or parcels for a maximum duration of three years
Submit trial program results to ANSES (National Food, Environment and Labor Safety Agency) for evaluation within the trial period