The European Commission has established a task force to maintain and strengthen the EU’s capacity to ensure that imports comply with Union standards, while supporting employment and growth for EU producers. The task force will focus in particular on food and feed safety, pesticide residues and coordinated EU follow-up measures on specific imported products. It […]
EU must do more to reduce impact of chemical pesticides
Pesticide use is a major cause of pollution since it contaminates the air, soil, and water, destroys biodiversity, and breeds pest resistance. Chemical pesticide exposure in humans has been related to chronic conditions like cancer, heart, respiratory, and neurological problems. The most recent research on the effects of chemical pesticides on human health and ecosystems […]
Can we halve the use of pesticides in the EU by 2030?
Pesticides and fertilisers can be important tools in modern farming. When used correctly, fertilisers provide essential nutrients for crop growth, while pesticides can help protect those crops from harmful pests and diseases. The problem is that agriculture has become too dependent on both. Instead of being applied when and where they’re needed, it’s become standard […]
Pesticides in food: latest report published
EFSA’s latest annual report on pesticide residues in food covers more than 88,000 food samples collected in the European Union in 2020. Analysis of the results shows that 94.9% of samples fell within legally permitted levels. For the subset of 12,077 samples analysed as part of the EU-coordinated control programme (EU MACP), 98.2% were within legal limits. […]
Steps to stop farming practices polluting our drinking water
While agricultural practices are known to compromise the quality of drinking water sources, farmers are reluctant to update their practices. Based on an understanding of farmers’ legitimate fears, FAirWAY introduced measures to better support a step change. As sources of nitrogen for crops, fertilisers and manures can leach into soil, polluting groundwater and surface water. […]
HORIZON EUROPE: Risk assessment of new low risk pesticides
Expected Outcome In line with the farm to fork strategy, for a transition to fair, healthy and resilient EU agriculture and forestry, including an ambitious target of the reduced use of plant protection products, the successful proposal will support research and innovation (R&I) to help agriculture / forestry sectors to remain productive and contribute to […]
HORIZON EUROPE: Socio-economics of pesticide use in agriculture
Expected Outcome In line with the farm to fork strategy, the successful proposal will support integrated pest management practices facilitating the progress towards the ambitious target of reduced use of plant protection products while supporting the agricultural / forestry sectors to remain productive and contribute to sustainable and biodiversity friendly agriculture and/or forest health. Project […]
Pesticides in food: latest figures published
A total of 96,302 samples were analysed in 2019, 96.1% of which fell within legally permitted levels. For the subset of 12,579 samples analysed as part of the EU-coordinated control programme (EUCP), 98% were within legal limits. The EUCP analysed samples randomly collected from 12 food products – apples, head cabbages, lettuce, peaches, spinach, […]