Hosted in cooperation with the Cyprus International Institute for Environmental and Public Health (CII), Cyprus University of Technology.
Where: University of Cyprus, Main Library Amphitheatre, Nicosia, Cyprus
When: 19 February 2026 from 08:30 - 13:00 (GMT+2)
Language: English
Programme:
09:00 | Opening Remarks
- Prof. Dr Konstantinos C. Makris, Cyprus International Institute for Environmental and Public Health, Cyprus University of Technology
- Representative of the Cyprus EU Presidency (Cyprus Ministry of Agriculture, Department of Agriculture)
- Cypriot MEP (TBC)
09:15 | Panel 1: Addressing the COM Proposal - Backlash in Pesticide regulation?
Chair: Dr Agapios Agapiou, Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry, University of Cyprus
This urgent panel will examine the European Commission’s 2025 proposal allowing open-ended, potentially unlimited pesticide approvals, which would undermine scientific assessment, endanger human health and the environment, and contradict the principles of precaution and sustainability.
Presentations will focus on:
- Overview of the COM proposal and its implications for EU food safety and environmental protection.
- How unlimited approvals undermine the approval system under Regulation 1107/2009.
- Risks for children, water protection, biodiversity and pollinators.
- Legal inconsistencies and potential violations of the precautionary principle.
- How the Cyprus Presidency can guide Council discussions to challenge the proposal and reinforce, not weaken, EU pesticide legislation.
10:00 | Panel 2: Pesticide contamination, PFAS pesticides, Children’s Health and Pesticide Exposure
Chair:
Presentations will focus on:
- Presentation of house dust sampling survey for pesticides in Cyprus households (Makris KC)
- PFAS in pesticide formulations & TFA contamination in products and agricultural areas (PAN)
- Perceived challenges and recommendations for reduction of pesticide use: A participatory mapping exercise with stakeholders in Cyprus [Dr. Nicos Middleton (Cyprus University of Technology), Dr. Souzana Achilleos (University of Nicosia), Cyprus Epidemiology and Public Health Association]
11:00 | Coffee Break
11:30 | Panel 3: Reducing Pesticide Dependency - by local farmer, organic association
Chair:
Presentations will focus on:
- Biological control - organic farming and organic diet in children and health benefits (Konstantinou Corina, CUT)
- Balancing Productivity and Protection: Sustainable Agriculture and the Future of Pesticide Use, Dr. Menelaos Stavrinidis, CUT
- Case studies from Cyprus on pesticides in foods (State General Lab, Dr. Maro Christodoulidou, Ministry of Health) (TBC)
12:30 | Panel 4: Panel discussion on Moving forward towards a sustainable and healthy future of vulnerable populations
Chair:
Presentations will focus on:
- Presidency – Cyprus Ministry of Agriculture, Panagiota Sofkleous, Lyssandros Lyssandrou
- Academia - Konstantinos Makris
- NGOs – PAN, FOE and Laona Foundation
- Organic Farmers Association (TBC)
- Union of Agriculture Scientists (Dr. Spyrou)
- Beekeepers President (TBC)
13:00 | Closing Session
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