-
Fréjus Tunnel that connects France and Italy to close this weekend
The tunnel will close for 12 hours and not the 56 hours originally announced
-
TotalEnergies opens service station for electric vehicles in Paris
It is the first of its kind in the capital and has ultra-fast charging
-
Conductors on French public transport will soon be able to check your address
Move is part of anti-fraud plans to prevent people from giving false information during fines including on SNCF trains
Glyphosate 'to be banned by 2022'
Government sets date for phasing out use of controversial pesticide
France will phase out the use of the pesticide glyphosate by 2022, the government announced on Monday.
Spokesman Christophe Castaner told RMC the product will be banned in France 'by the end of this government's term', and added that other, similar, products that are considered a public health risk will be included in the same ban.
There are concerns that glyphosate can cause cancer.
He told RMC radio that the government would set aside €5billion over the next five years to support the development of alternative pesticides.
But the decision will anger the agricultural industry. On Friday, an estimated 250 farmers blockaded the Champs-Elysées in protest at the expected decision.
The decision could have knock-on effects across the European Union. The pesticide's European licence is up for renewal at the end of 2017. The Commission has recommended extending approval for its use for another 10 years, but France has said it will vote against the recommendation and will try to block it.
Stay informed:
Sign up to our free weekly e-newsletter
Subscribe to access all our online articles and receive our printed monthly newspaper The Connexion at your home. News analysis, features and practical help for English-speakers in France