foodwatch statement on increasing exports of toxic pesticides
- Pesticides
EU’s lack of action puts communities in danger and breaks trust of European consumers
Exports of toxic pesticides that are banned in the EU have increased dramatically in recent years, a new Public Eye and Unearthed investigation has revealed. Natacha Cingotti from foodwatch International comments:
“Five years ago, the European Commission pledged to stop the production and export of pesticides banned in the EU. Instead of ending this deadly trade, exports have continued to grow and have almost doubled since 2018 – year after year more toxic chemicals are being shipped to countries with weaker protections. This is a betrayal not only of vulnerable communities abroad but also of European consumers who expect the EU to uphold the same safety standards globally. Through imported foods, the exported pesticides also return to our plates in Europe like a toxic boomerang: nearly one in ten food samples in Europe contains residues of pesticides that are no longer authorized for use here. The European Commission must finally take responsibility and act decisively to stop agrichemical giants from profiting off this harmful trade – for the sake of people and the environment.”
Background
A new investigation by Unearthed and Public Eye has revealed that the EU’s export trade in banned pesticides is not only continuing but expanding rapidly. In 2024, European companies notified plans to export pesticides containing 75 different chemicals that are prohibited for use within the EU – almost double the number from 2018, the first year with full data available. The total volume of these toxic exports reached 122,000 tonnes last year, a 50% increase over the same period. Over half of these exports were shipped to low- and middle-income countries such as Brazil, Vietnam, Morocco, and Ecuador, where safety standards are often weaker and the risks of pesticide exposure are highest.
Many of the pesticides now being exported were banned only recently, including substances like mancozeb – a fungicide prohibited in the EU since 2020 after being classified as toxic for reproduction. Despite a clear promise by the European Commission five years ago to ensure that “hazardous chemicals banned in the EU are not produced for export,” companies continue to profit from this trade. The German chemical giant BASF alone accounted for almost one-third of all such exports in 2023, making it Europe’s largest exporter of banned pesticides by far. This surge highlights a deep contradiction: while the EU protects its own citizens from dangerous pesticides, it allows the very same substances to be sent abroad, often to countries least equipped to manage their risks.
Confronted with these findings, the European Commission acknowledged the seriousness of the issue. A Commission spokesperson told Unearthed and Public Eye that Brussels “shares the concerns regarding the exports to third countries of EU-banned pesticides” and stressed that it is “committed to addressing this important issue.” The spokesperson explained that an impact assessment was launched in 2023 and that the Commission is currently evaluating “possible options” to ensure that “the most hazardous chemicals banned in the EU cannot be produced for export.” She added that “ensuring a high level of protection for people and the environment, both within the EU and globally, is paramount.” While this response signals political will to act, there is still no clear timeline or concrete measures in place – meaning the trade in banned pesticides continues to grow unchecked.
Toxic Boomerang
In addition to the export scandal, foodwatch has analyzed the EU’s most recent pesticide monitoring data from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). The results give reason for serious concern: almost one in ten food samples tested in 2023 contained residues of pesticides that are no longer authorized for use in the EU. Some of these substances are classified as highly hazardous because of their carcinogenic properties or toxicity for reproduction.
This means that European consumers are still exposed to dangerous pesticides banned on the continent, not through domestic use, but through imported food products. foodwatch is calling for two urgent steps: a full export ban on pesticides that are no longer approved for use in the EU, and zero tolerance for residues of these banned substances in imported food. An online petition launched by foodwatch to demand these measures has already been signed by around 90,000 people, demonstrating growing public support for decisive action.