As Denmark’s EU Council Presidency ends, Cyprus took over in January 2026 at a crucial time for health, environment and food production. Scientists, PAN Europe, the Laona Foundation and Friends of the Earth Cyprus ask the Cypriot ministers to prioritise pesticide issues affecting public health, water resources and the environment. This Presidency has a unique opportunity to prevent a rollback of decades of protection against pesticides, and instead promote a safer and future-proof agricultural model.
A central point of attention concerns the European Commission’s ill-advised proposal to allow unlimited renewals of pesticide approvals. Such a move would eliminate the periodic scientific reviews essential for identifying environmental and health risks. This would be a step in the wrong direction. Pesticide authorisations must remain time-limited, with mandatory re-evaluation based on updated scientific knowledge, while preserving full Member State oversight. Without these safeguards, harmful substances could remain on the market indefinitely, which is worrying for our and particularly children's health.
Ban PFAS pesticides
The second major call focuses on a rapid and comprehensive EU-wide ban of PFAS-based pesticides. These “forever chemicals” degrade into trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), a toxic, highly persistent compound already detected in European drinking water, wine and food. A new 2025 investigation further revealed high levels of TFA in everyday cereal products across Europe, confirming widespread food-chain contamination. [1] PAN Europe, water companies and scientists stress that eliminating PFAS pesticides at the source is the only viable path to protect water resources, consumers, and ecosystems.
Integrated Pest Management
A third area of concern is the poor implementation of the Sustainable Use of Pesticides Directive (SUD). Despite a legal obligation since 2014, mandatory Integrated Pest Management (IPM) has not been effectively applied across Member States, and pesticide dependency remains high. We call on the Cyprus Presidency to ensure concrete enforcement of SUD provisions, including restricting pesticide use in public spaces, establishing protective buffer zones around homes and sensitive areas, and strengthening independent advisory systems for farmers. When properly implemented, IPM has been shown to reduce pesticide use by up to 80% without yield losses.
End the export of EU-banned pesticides
The letter also highlights the ongoing issue of double standards in the global pesticide trade. Although EU law bans certain hazardous chemicals, European companies continue exporting them to third countries with weaker regulations. This is unfair for EU farmers. These same substances often return to Europe as residues in imported food, exposing consumers to unnecessary risks. PAN Europe and partners urge Cyprus to demonstrate strong leadership, ending the export of banned pesticides and ensuring that imported food meets EU safety standards.
Ultimately, the organisations encourage the Cypriot Presidency to seize this moment to strengthen Europe's pesticide and health-protection framework, instead of weakening it. Cyprus can help public health, biodiversity, and the future of European agriculture by firmly rejecting any attempts at deregulation, pushing for a full phase-out of PFAS pesticides, ensuring real and enforceable implementation of the SUD, and putting an end to the EU’s unacceptable double standards in global pesticide trade.
PAN Europe stands ready to engage and will convene a conference in Cyprus in February to ensure these critical issues remain at the top of the political agenda.
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[1] Unseen and Unregulated: TFA, the ‘forever chemical’ in Europe’s Cereals
