Toxic Loopholes: The EU’s Silent Pesticide Scandal

The EU prides itself on high environmental and health standards. Yet, when it comes to pesticides, a glaring contradiction remains: while the EU bans certain hazardous pesticides to protect its citizens and ecosystems, it continues to allow their export to third countries and permits food imports containing residues of these very same substances. This double standard not only jeopardizes global health and the environment but also creates unfair competition for European farmers.

We joined other civil society organizations to send a letter to the EU Commissioner for Food and Agriculture, Christophe Hansen,  calling on the EU to fix this loophole—one that harms farmers, consumers, and the environment.

The Problem: Toxic Pesticides in Our Food and Fields

• In 2022, 69 banned pesticides were found in food sold in the EU—most commonly in tea, coffee, and spices.
• Despite their dangers, EU-based companies export tens of thousands of tonnes of these chemicals every year, often to countries with weaker regulations, putting farmers, communities, and biodiversity at risk.
• EU farmers face unfair competition, as they must follow strict pesticide rules while importing producers do not, making their products cheaper.

What Needs to Change?

The EU has already pledged to address this issue in various policies and international agreements, but action is still missing. That’s why civil society groups are demanding:
✅ Lowering residue limits for banned pesticides in imported food.
✅ A full stop to EU exports of hazardous pesticides.
✅ Stronger trade policies to ensure fair and safe food for all.

For years, civil society groups from both the EU and Global South have been demanding an end to these double standards. With the EU’s Vision for Food and Agriculture on the horizon, now is the time to act. Commissioner Hansen has committed to ensuring imported food meets EU standards—this is his chance to deliver.