Press releases
The EU Nature Restoration Law finally cleared the final hurdle in the EU Council of Environment Ministers today. More than 1 million people have called for measures to restore biodiversity with the European Citizens' Initiative (ECI) Save bees and farmers. "This is a historic step. Measures are now adopted that can become an important tool in the fight against the biodiversity crisis and the climate crisis.
Three NGOs have sued the Belgian State for reauthorising 3 highly toxic pesticides containing abamectin. The EU regulation clearly states that this dangerous pesticide can only be used in completely closed systems. Instead, Belgium allows use in open air and tunnels until 2039, to the detriment of the environment and citizens' health.
Pesticide Action Network Europe and its member organisations expose dirty PFAS legacy under the radar - swift political action required.
PAN Europe has lodged an appeal at the European Court of Justice to overturn the first instance ruling on the re-approval of cypermethrin, a highly toxic insecticide. This is the very first time a civil society organisation challenges a pesticide approval at this level. Last February, the General Court of the EU dismissed our request for annulment.[1] PAN Europe considers that the judgment is not in line with relevant EU legislation and case law.
In two groundbreaking rulings, the EU Court of Justice has declared the assessment of pesticides by EU Member States unlawful. The rulings put an end to the common practice of disregarding recent scientific knowledge and give priority to decades-old industry studies. The Court reminds that safety criteria for pesticide-active substances also apply to commercial pesticide formulations.
A new EFSA report reveals that 41% of European fruit and vegetables contain pesticide residues. In more than half of these cases, consumers are exposed to several pesticide residues at the same time. Cocktail effects are still not taken into account by regulators, while science continues to warn of the obvious risks to human health of such combined exposure.
In the wake of the International Day for Peasant Struggles, a coalition of civil society organisations launches a report about the consequences of an export ban on pesticides not allowed in the EU.
On Friday 15th of March, the European Commission is expected to propose to the member states the weakening of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). The environmental requirements for farmers to receive subsidies would be drastically reduced. This goes directly against scientific recommendations and societal demands. Instead of offering farmers long-term economic sustainability, the Commission makes farming even more environmentally unsustainable.
A study by PAN Europe and its members reveals a bitter truth: European citizens are increasingly exposed to cocktails of PFAS pesticides through their food. This subgroup of ‘forever chemicals’ are deliberately sprayed on food crops, making fresh fruit and vegetables a direct and systematic route of exposure for consumers. The findings raise serious environmental and human health concerns. In response, PAN Europe urgently calls for a ban on all PFAS pesticides.
Key insights of the study include:
The announcement of President Ursula von der Leyen to withdraw the Pesticide Reduction Law SUR represents the end of an appalling opposition, led by the agro-chemical industry, against a more healthy, future-proof agriculture for the EU.
