Press releases
The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) decided to maintain the existing classification of glyphosate: toxic to aquatic life but still no classification as a carcinogen, despite of even stronger scientific evidence than in 2015 when WHO’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified glyphosate as "probably carcinogenic to humans". The "Ban Glyphosate" civil society coalition strongly rejects ECHA’s conclusion that “available scientific evidence did not meet the criteria to classify glyphosate for specific target organ toxicity, or as a carcinogenic,
EU Member States have been legally required since 2011 to phase out 55 pesticides identified as particularly harmful. However, their presence in food has increased dramatically over the last ten years as is shown in a report launched today. These findings reveal a failure by Member States to enforce the laws at the expense of consumer protection.
On May 10th EFSA announced the postponement of its Scientific opinion on the re-approval of glyphosate. In practice, this means the European Commission and Member States might try to decide for a 1-year prolongation of the herbicide. PAN Europe denounces the mismanagement of the file by EFSA and objects to any prolongation of the approval.
The European Commission confirmed today that Sulfoxaflor insecticide will soon be banned in the EU. Only 7 years after its first approval, this neonicotinoid-like substance will be off the market due to concerns about its toxicity to bees.
Celebrating the Pesticide Action Week, PAN Europe publishes today a new report “Pesticide Free Towns: A Diversity of European Approaches”, which explores successful efforts undertaken by several EU countries to phase-out pesticides in public areas.
Ironically, exactly at the launch of the Pesticide Action Week[1] (20-30 March), the European Commission gave in to the pressure of agribusiness lobby groups. By postponing the publication of a Pesticide Reduction Regulation and the Nature Recovery Law, PAN Europe considers the Commission is making a mistake as they are part of the answer for the EU to become more independent in terms of food and feed productions.
On 3 March, in a hearing in the Environment Committee of the European Parliament on the protection of wild bees against pesticides, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and DG Sante avoided answering the most relevant questions from the Members of the European Parliament (MEPs).
“An agriculture without chemical pesticides is possible in 2050”, the key message of today’s 8th SUD symposium “Working with Nature”, stated by guest speaker Christian Huyghe. Also the answer to the ongoing question: Is it possible to produce food without pesticides?
Over 70 European organisations sent a joint statement to European Commission Executive Vice-President Timmermans and Health & Food Safety Commissioner Kyriakides to express their deep concern about the lack of ambition of the Commission’s draft proposal for a “Sustainable Use of Plant Protection Products” Regulation to be published on 23 March. They make 10 demands to reach an ambitious Regulation.
The leaked draft Sustainable Use of Pesticides Regulation shows a strong lack of ambition, giving Member States numerous possibilities to derail the objectives of the Green Deal. Despite some improvements, PAN Europe's analysis is that this legislative proposal lacks the change in mindset that the EU needs to embrace the transition of agriculture towards sustainable practices.
