France approves drone spraying for pesticides in agriculture

Aerial pesticide spraying is making a return in France following the final approval of a new legislative bill by Parliament on April 9, 2025. The legislation aims to modernize plant disease treatment by authorizing the use of drones for applying certain pesticides, especially in areas where traditional methods are impractical or hazardous.

The bill specifically permits drone spraying on steep plots with gradients over 20 per cent, mother vine rootstocks, and banana plantations in French overseas territories like Guadeloupe and Martinique. According to an article by Le Monde the law limits the use of drones only for biocontrol agents, such as pheromones and microorganisms, which are substances approved for organic farming, and pesticides categorized as “low risk” under EU regulations.

The bill passed with strong backing in the French Senate, after clearing the Assemblée Nationale in January despite opposition from most left-wing deputies. Henri Cabanel, a Socialist senator and the bill’s rapporteur, noted that the law will mainly affect vineyards in regions such as Alsace, Beaujolais, and the Pyrénées-Orientales in mainland France.

Jean-Luc Fugit, a Renaissance party MP and the bill’s author, emphasized the safety and efficiency advantages of drone-assisted spraying. “Manual application on steep terrain is both exhausting and dangerous,” he said, highlighting that drones can reduce exposure to chemicals and improve the speed and precision of treatments. He also noted that drones help reduce the overall volume of pesticides used.

This legislative shift signals France’s growing interest in integrating modern technology into agriculture, aligning with broader European efforts to balance productivity with environmental responsibility. The move coincides with ongoing EU discussions on pesticide regulation and climate action, including bans on toxic chemicals in consumer goods and the potential introduction of a carbon levy at maritime negotiations. Most EU nations widely restrict the use of airplanes in the application of pesticides and drones are classified as airplanes with some exceptions granted for slopes and hills.

While the agricultural sector has generally welcomed the new drone spraying rules, critics caution that even “low-risk” chemicals can have unanticipated effects on ecosystems and public health. Environmental advocates are calling for rigorous oversight and impact assessments to ensure responsible use of the technology.

As France moves forward with implementing drone-based pesticide applications, its experience could serve as a model for other nations exploring similar innovations. The legislation reflects a broader trend across Europe to adopt high-tech solutions for sustainable farming, underscoring the challenges and opportunities at the intersection of agriculture, health, and environmental stewardship.

International application

Historically, aerial pesticide application has relied on traditional manned aircraft, such as fixed-wing planes and helicopters. However, this approach is rapidly evolving as small, unmanned aircraft gain popularity for pesticide spraying worldwide, particularly in East Asia, where countries like China, Japan, and South Korea have embraced the technology.

Japan, for instance, had already registered around 2,800 unmanned helicopters by March 2016, which were used to treat over a third of the nation’s rice paddies. Both Japan and South Korea have long utilized remote-controlled, single-rotor helicopters for agricultural spraying, while the adoption of multi-rotor drones in these countries is a more recent development.

China, on the other hand, has led the shift toward multi-rotor drone use, with its first model introduced in only 2009 but has seen rapid growth in this sector. Meanwhile, drone spraying is still in its infancy in the United States, though interest from pesticide applicators continues to grow.

By Nazrin Sadigova