Protect Our Health, Water and Biodiversity from Pesticides

The Environmental Forum, Pesticide Action Network (PAN) Europe, the Sustainable Water Network (SWAN), and the Environmental Pillar hosted the policy conference "Protect our Health, Water & Biodiversity from Pesticides – An EU Policy Conference under the Irish Presidency on the Future of Pesticide Regulation." The event brought together representatives of the European Commission, the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union, leading scientists, water sector experts, environmental NGOs, and representatives of the farming community to discuss the future of EU pesticide policy. Under the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union, crucial discussions took place on the future of EU pesticide regulation, including the proposed Food and Feed Safety Omnibus package. Civil society organisations, scientists, water sector representatives, beekeepers and many other stakeholders across Europe have expressed concerns that elements of the proposed deregulation agenda could weaken environmental and public health protections, particularly regarding pesticides, water quality and pollinator safety. This high-level conference provided a constructive platform for dialogue between policymakers, scientists and stakeholders. It presented the latest scientific evidence on the impacts of pesticides on human health, water resources, biodiversity and pollinators, while exploring how EU legislation can better uphold the precautionary principle and support a genuinely sustainable transition towards resilient agriculture.