Pests are becoming resistant to many pesticides. Instead of addressing this problem at its root, the chemical industry is pushing the EU to allow the use of even more chemicals. A new EU proposal gives in to these demands. It could let harmful pesticides stay on the market indefinitely, putting our health, biodiversity, and food at risk. Many scientists, farmers and citizens do not agree. They advocate for a healthy and future-proof agriculture.
In December 2025, the European Commission presented the Food and Feed Safety Simplification Omnibus. While described as a simplification measure, it plans to weaken key rules to protect Europe’s food, water, and environment from pesticides. In 2026, the proposal is being discussed with EU Member States and the EU Parliament.
EU pesticide legislation requires pesticides to undergo strict scientific assessment before they are approved and regularly reviewed as new evidence becomes available. There are many gaps in the implementation, but they can be addressed.
This system exists for a reason. Pesticides are designed to kill living organisms. While they target pests, they can also affect bees, wildlife, soil life, water ecosystems and human health.
Highly toxic pesticides are regularly identified and sometimes banned, including the bee-killing neonicotinoids, the brain-toxic chlorpyrifos, and the PFAS and endocrine-disrupting flufenacet.
Periodic reassessment ensures that companies must prove their products are safe, consistent with the polluter-pays principle
The omnibus proposal could allow harmful pesticides to remain on the market. It would reduce the use of the latest scientific evidence in decision-making and shift the costs of identifying dangerous substances from industry onto public authorities and researchers. This will put citizens and the environment at risk.
Key facts
- The omnibus proposal makes unlimited pesticide approvals the default, removing the regular reassessment of safety
- Analysis shows 49 synthetic pesticides could automatically receive unlimited approval as of 1 January 2027
- This includes glyphosate, acetamiprid and some PFAS pesticides.
- Weakening these rules shifts costs and responsibilities from industry to the public
- National authorities are restricted from using the latest scientific evidence
- Harmful pesticides, such as endocrine disruptors and groundwater contaminants, could remain authorised “by derogation”
- Banned pesticides, including some carcinogenic and reprotoxic substances, could remain on the market for up to three additional years
- The proposal is now being discussed by the European Parliament and the Council (Member States)
Read our full analysis: Position paper: ‘Food and feed safety omnibus’ threatens EU pesticide rules
What the proposal changes
Pesticides could stay on the market indefinitely
Currently, active substances are approved for 10-15 years and then reassessed. This ensures new scientific evidence is considered and unsafe chemicals are removed. The omnibus proposal would make unlimited approval the default. Many pesticides could remain on the market without periodic reassessment, increasing risks to human health, wildlife, and ecosystems.
Authorities may not be able to use the latest science
National authorities currently rely on the latest peer-reviewed studies when authorising pesticide products. The omnibus would limit them to older EU-level assessments, even when these are decades old. This prevents timely action and could delay the removal of harmful pesticides.
Longer grace periods for banned substances
When a pesticide is banned because of risks to health or the environment, it should be removed quickly. The proposal would allow longer grace periods, meaning banned pesticides could remain available for up to three additional years before disappearing from the market.
More exceptions to pesticide safety rules
The proposal also broadens the possibility of approving pesticides through special derogations. This could allow harmful pesticides, such as endocrine disruptors, to remain authorised if they are considered necessary for plant production, rather than only to address serious plant health threats. Such an approach risks weakening a key principle of EU pesticide law: protecting health and the environment must come first.
A confusing definition of “biocontrol”
The proposal includes measures intended to promote biocontrol products, which can help farmers manage pests using natural processes instead of synthetic chemicals. Supporting these alternatives is important. However, the proposed definition is unclear and could allow synthetically produced substances known to be harmful to be classified as biocontrol (e.g. pyrethroids).
Expanded use of drones for pesticide spraying
The proposal also opens the door to wider use of drones for pesticide spraying. Aerial spraying increases the risk of pesticides drifting beyond the target area, exposing nearby communities, wildlife and ecosystems.
Petition to express concerns
PAN Europe and partners in many EU countries have launched a tool to express concern and send a message to regulators. Citizens can add theiry voice and call on EU decision-makers to reject the proposal and defend stronger pesticide protections.
Sign the petition. Every signature strengthens the message that European citizens demand better protection for health, biodiversity, and our food system against pesticides.
Read more:
- PAN Europe position paper: Food and Feed Safety Omnibus threatens EU pesticide rules
- European Commission proposal: Food and Feed Safety Omnibus
- Analysis by Générations Futures: 49 pesticides at risk of unlimited approval
- Legal opinion on The Lawfulness of the Planned Amendments through the „Food and Feed Safety Omnibus“
