A new initiative by community institutions aims to substantially reduce herbicide and pesticide use across Union countries. The European Parliament’s Environment Committee endorsed cuts in both the use and risk of all chemical pesticides. The target is at least a 50% reduction by 2030, with potential reductions up to 65% for the most dangerous products, based on the 2015-2017 average.
In the text approved this week by a vote of 47 in favor, 37 against, and 2 abstentions, Members of Parliament call for each Member State to set national targets and strategies. These should reflect annual sales, the level of risk, and the farming area involved.
From that baseline, the European Commission will verify whether national targets are ambitious enough to meet the EU’s 2030 objectives.
Maximizing the impact of national strategies, Member States will also apply special rules for at least five products where reductions in chemical pesticide use would have the greatest effect.
Ban pesticides in sensitive areas
Additionally, MEPs propose banning chemical pesticides in sensitive areas, except for products allowed for organic farming and biological control. This ban would cover buffer zones of at least five metres around parks, playgrounds, recreation areas, public roads, and all urban green spaces, including Natura 2000 areas.
EU countries should ensure that chemical pesticides are used only as a last resort, in line with Integrated Pest Management principles.
They also call on the Commission to set an EU 2030 target to equip farmers with safer substitutes and to promote higher sales of low-risk pesticides within six months after the regulation enters into force.
The aim is to protect agriculture and public health while encouraging safer options.
The Commission should evaluate methodologies and speed up permitting for low-risk pesticides and biological control measures, as the current lengthy procedures hinder the adoption of this law.
Additionally, by December 2025, the Community Administration should review differences in pesticide use between imported agricultural products and EU-produced goods, and, if needed, propose measures to ensure imports meet equivalent EU standards. The export of pesticides not approved in the community framework would be banned.
Parliament is slated to adopt the mandate in its plenary session between 20 and 23 November, after which negotiations with EU Member States are expected to begin.