EU Reform of pesticide approval faces criticism: Researchers warn of weakened safety standards
The EU sets the global standard for pesticide regulation. However, many believe that the current approval process is in need of reform. A new legislative package aims to simplify the process. From the researchers’ perspective, the package poses significant risks to the environment and human health. In an article in the journal Science, an international research team from 27 European research institutions, led by the University of Freiburg, warns that key protective mechanisms could be weakened. At the same time, the authors highlight ways to make authorization procedures more efficient without endangering environmental and health protection. Carsten Brühl, from the RPTU, is one of the co-authors.
The European Commission has presented a new legislative package. It aims to reform key provisions that previously governed the approval of pesticides. The “Omnibus Package X: Safety of Food and Feed” is part of a comprehensive strategy through which the Commission seeks to simplify EU legislation and reduce administrative burdens.
Currently, pesticides are approved for either 10 or 15 years at the EU level, depending on the type of active ingredient. After that period, manufacturers can apply to renew the approval and must submit updated data on the safety of the active ingredient. The active ingredient is then reevaluated based on the latest scientific evidence. "This has proven to be an effective tool for dealing with problematic substances," says Carsten Brühl. Since 2011, 59 active ingredients have not received approval renewal due to health or environmental concerns.
The planned reform aims to significantly deregulate the approval process: some active ingredients will be approved indefinitely, and routine scientific reevaluations at fixed intervals will be abolished. The reform also aims to reverse the risk assessment mechanism. Currently, manufacturers must regularly prove the safety of these substances. However, under the EU’s plans, these substances would be permitted to remain on the market indefinitely unless authorities identify serious new health or environmental risks. "This would shift the burden of proof from manufacturers to the authorities, which is problematic because regulatory agencies have only a limited budget for research," emphasizes Brühl. The researchers argue that this could undermine the precautionary principle.
The research team is also critical of the change to the transition periods for active ingredients whose authorization has expired. Currently, products containing an active ingredient that is no longer authorized can only be used for up to 18 months. Under the reform, the transition period would be extended to three years, even in cases of health or environmental concerns as long as they are not classified as immediate and serious.
In their article, the authors outline ways to streamline approval procedures without compromising the protection of people and the environment. These include reducing the backlog of applications through investment, improving monitoring by linking it to application data, conducting public approval studies, and establishing uniform evaluation criteria. "Amid all the discussion about adapting pesticide regulation, one thing remains clear: we must not lose sight of the international goal of reducing pesticide risk by 50 percent by 2030," emphasizes Carsten Brühl.
Further information:
The publication: Dimitry Wintermantel et al., "EU Omnibus Proposal Increases Pesticide Risks." Science, DOI: 10.1126/science.aeg8744 (online first publication).
The first author is affiliated with the University of Freiburg. More detailed information is available in the University of Freiburg’s press release.
Scientific contact:
Institute for Environmental Sciences (iES Landau)
Prof. Dr. Carsten A. Brühl
+49 (0)6341 280-31310
carsten.bruehl[at]rptu.de
Press contact:
Kerstin Theilmann
Tel.: +49 (0)6341b280-32219
kerstin.theilmann[at]rptu.de