Measures to ban the use of chemical pesticides

Parliament wants a drastic cut in the use of chemical pesticides. The proposed measures should ensure the use of sustainable pesticides and reduce the use and risk of all chemical pesticides by at least 50 % by 2030.

Parliament members want each EU country to adopt national targets and strategies, based on the substances sold per year, their hazard level and the size of their agricultural area. They propose a 65% reduction of the use of so-called more hazardous products compared to the 2013-2017 average. They also call for a ban on all chemical pesticides in sensitive areas such as Natura 2000 areas, including urban green spaces, and a new EU 2030 target to increase the sales of low-risk pesticides.

Parliament has on numerous occasions called for the EU to transition to using products that protect plants in a more sustainable way. The ultimate goal is the reduction of the environmental footprint of the EU’s food system and to mitigate the economic losses due to climate change and biodiversity loss.