In 2024, we made important steps in banning some of the most hazardous pesticides. On the other hand, a real setback was the complete withdrawal by the EU Commission of its flagship pesticide legislative proposal from the EU Green Deal. The upgrade of the Sustainable Use of Pesticides Directive (SUD) to a Regulation (SUR) should have resulted in legally binding measures to achieve a 50% reduction in pesticide use and risk in general and 50% reduction in use of the more hazardous ones by 2030. Moving back to the previous situation where Member States were not acting to reduce pesticide use is not an option.
"Save Bees and Farmers" European Citizens’ Initiative, in which over one million citizens urged the EU to take action toward a pesticide-free Europe must be heard. The desire of EU citizens to live in a healthier environment was clearly reflected in EU Barometers and an IPSOS poll, and needs to be addressed. This is the same for the farmers’ demand for a clear path toward resilient and economically viable agriculture, a central message in recent farmers' protests across the EU. Pesticide dependence harms farmers' health, imposes high and unnecessary costs and degrades soil fertility and pollination, which are vital for our food system.
With our members we managed to expose trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), as a hidden threat in Europe’s water, a small PFAS metabolite from PFAS pesticides. We assisted in activating the EU's review mechanism to come to the restriction or ban of dangerous substances, such as acetamiprid and flufenacet.
Finally, PAN Europe has won 2 EU court cases, where the Court of Justice of the EU clarified the responsibilities of Member States, when it comes to assessing the risk posed by pesticides to human health and the environment. This new step should lead to a better protection of our health and environment.
