European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced this Tuesday that she would withdraw the proposal. She argued that a plan to halve pesticide use in the EU had become a polarizing symbol and that a new, more mature strategy should emerge with farmers at the center and guided by the outcomes of the Strategic Dialogue with the sector, which began at the end of January.
The German leader reminded audiences that the Commission had drafted the regulation together with the European Council. She described the goal as worthy for reducing the risks associated with phytosanitary products, but stressed that it had turned into a symbol of division with only four months left before the next European elections. She explained that the proposal had already been weakened by a rejection in the European Parliament and a blockage in the Council, and thus a withdrawal would be proposed to the Board of Commissioners.
She emphasized that farmers should remain the heroes of the process, noting in a plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg that the focus was on reviewing the achievements of the February 1 summit, which coincided with a large-scale farmers’ demonstration in Brussels. The image of a farmer using pesticides was highlighted as a reminder of the real-world stakes involved.
Von der Leyen acknowledged the discontent among farmers, who felt cornered and believed they deserved a hearing. She also warned that they were aware of the pressures they face. Agriculture, she argued, must transition toward a more sustainable production model so that farm operations remain profitable in the years ahead. In light of this, she announced the launch of a Strategic Dialogue on the Future of Agriculture in the EU, bringing together representatives from the agricultural sector, rural communities, the seed and fertilizer industries, the food sector, the financial sector, consumers, environmental groups, and scientists. The aim is to craft a shared path forward that balances practical farming needs with broader environmental and societal goals.
Common solutions
The dialogue’s results and recommendations, expected by the end of summer, will form the basis for discussions in Parliament and with Member States and will influence future agricultural policy. The idea is to analyze the situation collectively, explore future scenarios, and move beyond polarized debates to build trust and practical solutions. This approach is meant to emphasize working together to address challenges rather than assigning blame.
Manfred Weber, president of the European People’s Party, welcomed the decision to withdraw the pesticide proposal, arguing that increasing the burden on farmers serves no purpose. He praised the EPP as a party that represents farmers, a remark that drew attention to broader political dynamics within the EU’s farm policy debates.
In response, the spokesperson for the Socialists and Democrats criticized the EPP for seeming to protect an industry’s interests at the expense of the sector’s broader needs, urging collaboration to secure agriculture’s future. The Greens spokesperson echoed this call, advocating joint action to resolve farmers’ problems and to strengthen biodiversity and climate protections, stressing the urgency of taking concrete steps and avoiding mutual insults.
Valérie Hayer, the new president of the liberal group in the European Parliament, added that populists often seek to exploit anger and questioned those who claim that Europe is abandoning rural areas, especially when considering increases in allocated shares. The discussion underscored the need for a measured, inclusive approach to rural development that aligns with environmental and economic realities across the union.