The widespread use of pesticides is not only threatens ecosystems and biodiversity but also impacts human health and human rights, including the right of present and future generations to live in a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment. Scientists have already issued a warning: more than 6,000 researchers recently called for drastic pesticide reduction to protect people and biodiversity, and to ensure long-term ,food production.
But despite the well-documented risks of pesticides, and the mobilisation of scientists and of more than 1 million citizens across Europe demanding a pesticide phase-out, the European Union has so far failed to tackle the issue of pesticide reduction.
Although the EU set targets to halve the use and risk of chemical pesticides, and the use of the most hazardous pesticides, by 2030 as part of the Green Deal and Farm to Fork Strategy, the key legislation to achieve these goals — the Sustainable Use Regulation (SUR) — was abandoned in February 2024.
The European Union continues to face growing pressure to reduce pesticide use for the health of people, nature, and future generations. In response, we have joined 85+ organisations to outline a clear roadmap for EU policy-makers to phase out pesticides across Europe. Check out our key recommendations for creating a pesticide-free agricultural future that put human health, fairness for farmers and nature protection over the industry’s profits.
