The National Assembly of France has approved the reintroduction of neonicotinoid pesticides in agriculture.

The National Assembly of France approved on Monday the reintroduction of the pesticides acetamiprid and flupyradifuron, from the neonicotinoid class, for use on a limited number of struggling crops.

The vote was favored by 296 deputies, while 224 opposed it, including the majority of the parliamentary left. The next step is the vote in the Senate, scheduled for Tuesday, which is expected to be a formality.

The decision has sparked controversy, with the environmental association Generations Futures criticizing the authorization of banned pesticides, while FNSEA, the main agricultural union in France, welcomed this measure as an "important turnaround" for agriculture.