Dear Mrs Roswall,

The European Union has banned around 200 pesticides in order to protect human health and the environment. These substances are mutagenic, carcinogenic, toxic to reproduction, endocrine disruptors, and some are classified as persistent organic pollutants (POPs) or Persistent, Bioaccumulative and Toxic substances (PBTs).

However, these pesticides can still be manufactured within the European Union for export to third countries.

These exports are far from marginal: in 2022, more than 120,000 tones of highly toxic pesticides were exported from the European Union, mainly to “low- and middle-income” countries such as Morocco, South Africa, India, Mexico, Malaysia, and Brazil. And unfortunately, the trend is rising: according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, global pesticide use nearly doubled between 1990 and 2021. It tripled in Africa and increased tenfold in South America.

I am also very concerned because a significant share of the pesticides exported by the European Union are used to produce the food I consume. I refuse to contribute—by eating lasagna or drinking my orange juice—to the poisoning of thousands of people who are poorly informed and inadequately protected from substances banned in Europe!

In October 2020, the European Commission committed, in its Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability, that the EU would “lead by example and, in line with international commitments, ensure that hazardous chemicals banned in the European Union are not produced for export, including by amending relevant legislation if necessary.”

In December 2022, 326 NGOs from all continents addressed this issue to the European Commission in a joint statement, recalling this crucial commitment.

No significant positive change has been observed.

In support of hundreds of farmers’ organizations and environmental protection associations in Africa, Asia, and South America, I earnestly urge you, Madam European Commissioner, to advocate for a ban on the production and export of pesticides and substances whose use is prohibited within the European Union.

I thank you in advance for informing me of your decision on this matter.

Agir avec nous