Press releases

Velt, member of PAN Europe, published a new report today: 63 different pesticides were found in indoor dust of 10 classrooms spread across Flanders. This is the first-ever pesticide research inside European schools. On average, 18 pesticides were measured per classroom, with up to 36 in two of the classrooms. A majority of the identified pesticides are considered hazardous for humans and especially children. The findings are an alarming signal of the urgent need for better, not less, protection against pesticides.

Five UN human rights experts have raised “substantive concerns” about the European Commission’s Food and Feed Safety Omnibus. They warn that the proposed changes on pesticide and biocide rules would weaken protections for human health and the environment, and undermine fundamental human rights. These include the rights to life, health, adequate food and a clean, healthy and sustainable environment. Farmers, agricultural workers, rural communities and children living in rural areas are among those most at risk, according to the experts.

Today, EU Member States endorsed the Irish Presidency’s compromise on the Food and Feed Safety Omnibus, supporting the Commission’s plan to roll back safeguards protecting human health and the environment from pesticides. By extending approval periods, broadening derogations and prolonging grace periods, Member States are paving the way for continued use of hazardous pesticides that should no longer be authorised. 

Today, the European Parliament supported, in plenary session, last week's veto from the Environment Committee against increased Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) of Flupyradifurone, a controversial neonicotinoid, in rapeseed (canola).

A new scientific analysis of official monitoring data shows a marked increase in TFA contamination in Austrian groundwater linked to agricultural activities. Concentrations of the “forever chemical” trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) increased at all 16 monitoring sites sampled twice over a period of around five years, from an average of 1.36 to 2.86 micrograms per litre. Not a single site showed stable or decreasing concentrations. This sends an alarm to the EU and all Member States to cut all sources of TFA into groundwater, starting with PFAS pesticides.

Today, the Environment Committee of the European Parliament vetoed an attempt from the European Commission to increase Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) of Flupyradifurone, a controversial neonicotinoid, in rapeseed (canola). Members of the European Parliament took a wise decision to protect our children's brains and pollinator populations, rather than support unsustainable agriculture.

Yesterday’s joint hearing of the European Parliament’s ENVI and AGRI committees on the Food & Feed Safety Omnibus was dominated by claims that farmers need continued access to toxic pesticides to maintain yields and fight growing pesticide resistance. This argument turns the problem on its head: the intensive use of pesticides is itself driving pest resistance, creating a treadmill in which declining effectiveness is used to justify access to ever more pesticides.

The highest Dutch administrative court has ruled that the pesticide formulation Pitcher containing the endocrine-disrupting substance fludioxonil needs to be banned as soon as possible. The verdict follows a landmark ruling from the EU Court of Justice in a case started by PAN Europe. The Dutch court is very clear in its press release: “Pitcher contains an active substance (fludioxonil) that has endocrine-disrupting properties.

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has acknowledged today that TFA - a common PFAS pesticide metabolite and widespread pollutant - is far more toxic to human health than previously recognised, cutting its health-based guidance values by over 70%. PAN Europe and Générations Futures welcome this long-overdue step, but warn the revised values still are not protective enough. Nevertheless, EFSA’s conclusions confirm NGOs’ demands: all PFAS pesticides must be banned without delay.

Today, PAN Europe received the European Commission Decision on the review of the EU approval of Cypermethrin. Last December the EU Court declared the 2021 reapproval of Cypermethrin to be illegal. Instead of complying with the ruling and banning this bee-toxic and endocrine-disrupting pesticide, the Commission has decided to shelve the matter and initiate a lengthy administrative procedure.