Sustainable Use of Pesticides Regulation Proposal Withdrawn
20 November 2024 - Ecosystems // InsightsThe European Parliament watered down the European Commission’s Pesticide Reduction proposal, leading the Commission to pull it back in February 2024.
The Sustainable Use Regulation, first introduced in July 2022, aims to significantly reduce the risks and impacts of pesticide use on public health and the environment. It sought to promote Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and encourage non-chemical alternatives to pesticides.
The European Commission’s proposal
The regulation was designed to help the EU meet its goals under the European Green Deal, Farm to Fork, and Biodiversity strategies by reducing pesticide use by 50% by 2030. It proposes enhanced monitoring of pesticide use and harmonization of pest management practices across the EU. Supported by thousands of scientists and over a million EU citizens through the Save Bees and Farmers initiative, the proposal seeks to reduce environmental and public health risks associated with pesticide use, while supporting the transition to a greener, more resilient food system across Europe.
The withdrawal of the proposal
The regulation faced strong opposition from the pesticide industry and industrial farming lobbies, who raised concerns about the potential negative impacts on farming practices.
The European Parliament rejected the proposal in November 2023, and the Member States were unable to reach a consensus on an alternative approach. As a result, the European Commission decided to withdraw the regulation, acknowledging the increasing polarization around the issue.
Rationale
The Commission President emphasized in her speech at the European Parliament Plenary in February 2024 that many farmers were already under significant pressure due to the compounded effects of climate change—such as droughts and floods—alongside economic strains like rising energy prices and higher fertilizer costs, and the Russian war on Ukraine. In this context, the Sustainable Use of Pesticides Regulation became a symbol of division, with deep concerns from the agricultural sector over its potential impact on farming viability. Additionally, failing to reduce pesticide use could exacerbate the very climate challenges farmers are facing, as over-reliance on chemicals degrades soil health and biodiversity, making ecosystems more vulnerable to climate extremes.
Ongoing debate
In addition to the rejection of the proposal in November 2023, the EU approved the use of glyphosate, a chemical compound found in pesticides used in agriculture and horticulture to manage undesired plants (weeds) as an herbicide. However, exposure to glyphosate-based pesticides has been associated with various cancers, as well as negative impacts on human development and hormonal systems. Of particular concern is the potential for certain health effects related to glyphosate to be passed on to future generations.
In 2024, environmental organizations have taken legal action against the European Commission over the renewal of glyphosate’s approval. They argue that the decision-making process was flawed, citing procedural errors, improper application of the EU’s precautionary principle, and unlawful shifting of risk management responsibility to Member States. Furthermore, they contend that serious health risks were not adequately addressed in the renewal process.
In early August 2024, Corinne Lepage, a lawyer and former Minister for the Environment in France, announced an appeal against the EU’s ten-year reauthorization of glyphosate.
Next steps
If the lawsuit succeeds, it could invalidate the current regulation and also lead to changes in how pesticides are approved in the EU moving forward.
It underscores a rising demand for tougher regulations that prioritize public health and environmental safety over the interests of industry.