Between 2011 and 2020, 350,000 tonnes of pesticides were sold annually in the EU, and despite efforts to reduce their use, European agriculture depends on these chemicals to sustain high levels of production. “But agriculture in the European Union produces 3200 calories per day for every European citizen, and it does not have production problems. We need to have a law prioritizing the precautionary principle in the use of pesticides, which will not happen”, said the University of Wageningen (Netherlands) in a video conference organized by the European Environment Agency to present the latest science. said Violette Geissen from The Impact of Pesticides on Human Health and the Environment.
Although some groups of pesticides have been banned in recent years, residues persist for long periods of time, polluting land, water, air, plants, our bodies, and animals. In 2020, based on data sent by EU member states to the European Environment Agency (EEA), 22% of monitored surface waters in Europe, including rivers and lakes, detected one or more pesticides above legal limits. Report.
These substances are mixed into a “soup” of chemical substances that have not been previously studied or tested in a laboratory. “The combination we’re exposed to today is very costly in terms of human health and ecosystems. It’s a black box,” says coordinator Violet Keesen. European Sprint Program To study the effects of pesticides on humans, animals, plants and the environment.
“After 60 years of pesticide use, it would be reasonable to think that there are legitimate indications for their use. But no, there is one thing on every page, there is no organized collection of risks related to pesticides”, underlined the researcher. The project to collect information in several European countries intends to open that path.
But, as Violet Giessen underlines, one of the hardest things to do is test or reproduce in the lab the combinations of chemicals that make up the pesticides found in the environment and in our bodies. “High or moderate risk substances were detected in 60% of fish or 70% of bees,” highlights Violet Giessen.
Reduce by 50% by 2030
Within the framework of the European Green Deal and the Farm to Plate strategy, the European Commission identified the need to reduce the group’s dependence on pesticides. A 50% reduction in the use and risk of chemical pesticides has been identified as a target by 2030; 50% reduction in the use of the most dangerous; And at least 25% of agricultural land in the EU is used for organic farming.
Sarah Weiner, MEP and author of the report on the regulation of the sustainable use of plant protection products in the context of the Environment Committee of the European Parliament, led the debate and opened a question mark. “In my report, I propose to reduce the use of synthetic pesticides in European agriculture by 80% by 2030, and to phase out these synthetic pesticides by 2035, starting with the most dangerous pesticides.
“No, we have to stop using the pesticides we use by 2030 and we need a list of alternatives,” replied Anja Hazekamp, another MEP and deputy secretary of the European Parliament’s Environment Committee.
Dario Picelli from the EEA highlighted the delicate role of the European Commission in promoting change. “The Do Prado ao Prato strategy has a scientific basis, but it is also political. The 50% objective recognizes what can be done and indicates the right path we should follow,” he argued.
Emergency authorizations override the rules
More than 450 active pesticide products have been approved in Europe, said Loïc Rambaud of France’s Public Health, coordinator of another international project (HBM4EU), which runs between 2017 and 2022. Human health. The project focused on detecting only a few of the many pesticides, and found widespread exposure levels for many of them.
For example, glyphosate – Its use has been extended by the European Commission Last December for another year (till end of 2023). “Children are more exposed than adults, probably because of their diet, they consume more fruits and vegetables,” said Loïc Rambaud. “But probably the most important factor is that they weigh less than adults, and therefore, they eat more food per kilogram of body weight, and therefore, they are exposed to more pesticide residues in food,” he explained.
Certain pesticides banned in the EU, such as some neonicotinoids, may be used if a member state requests emergency authorization for a specific substance for 120 days. In the 2022 document From the Heinrich Böll Stiftung FoundationIn the last six years, an estimated 3600 exemptions have been granted in various EU countries.
Jamal said/REUTERS
Outdoor use of all pesticides in the neonicotinoid class is banned, but two of them can still be used despite restrictions imposed in 2013. Acetamiprid may be used until 2033, when it is reevaluated, and thiagoprid is used. Re-evaluation.
An indicator from the European Commission was used to calculate the risk of these emergency authorizations by 38%, according to an assessment published on Wednesday by the EEA on the level of impact of pesticides on human health and pesticides. “It is worth noting that some countries have repeatedly issued emergency authorizations for the use of the neonicotinoid insecticides thiamethoxam, clothianidin and imidacloprid, which are no longer approved in the EU because they are toxic to bees,” the report notes. Additionally, pesticides are constantly found in bee colonies These are Chemical compounds are dangerous to other pollinating insects.
In January this year, the European Court of Justice ruled that EU countries can no longer hold these emergency permits to use pesticides that kill bees. But this issue still creates controversy in the European Union, with certain ambiguities (such as whether the Court is referring to the international market or the European Commission) used by those who support the continued use of these pesticides.
“If the active substance does not cause unacceptable effects on the environment and is considered safe for health, the active substance can be approved. However, limitations in testing methods, availability of data and obligations to report adverse effects of approved pesticides only allow these effects to be recognized after several years,” reads the assessment published by the EEA on Wednesday. State of play of impact of pesticides on human health and pesticides.
“Historically, this dynamic led to continued use of fungicides such as tamoxistrobin, which was later banned. [a decisão de proibir foi tomada em Março último, para entrar em vigor em 2024]”, says the document submitted by Dario Picelli, expert in environment, health and well-being of the EEA.
“My hope is to work with farmers and all stakeholders to create a new food production system. We need to see how we can replace pesticides with robotics in agriculture and how we can replace precision agriculture. But we have to talk to the farmers,” said Violet Gieson.