CETRI
Background
To protect Europeans’ health and the environment, the EU has banned or severely restricted the use of many hazardous chemicals. Furthermore, this European Commission and its commitment in the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability to protect people’s health and the environment, and put an end to its export of hazardous chemicals and pesticides that are already banned in Europe.
But despite this promise, the EC made no plans to amend the EU regulation that governs the export of some of its hazardous chemicals (PIC) in 2023 which, as it is, allows the EU to sell toxic pesticides to countries outside the region. This toxic practice contaminates the food systems and the environment of communities in other parts of the world, and has negative effects on their health.
CSOs Joint statement and citizens’ petition
More than 300 CSOs from across the world demand in a joint statement an immediate ban on the EU’s exports of toxic pesticides that endanger people and the environment in other parts of the world.
At the same time, more than 200,000 concerned citizens have signed a petition asking the EU’s Environment, Oceans & Fisheries Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius to stop Europe’s deadly exports without further delay.
Key Messages
Joint Statement
- Europe’s double standard, that is, exporting pesticides and chemicals banned in the EU, must be stopped because what is toxic for people and the environment in Europe, is toxic for people and the environment everywhere (joint statement).
Evidence : In 2018 alone, European factories exported more than 81,000 tonnes of pesticides containing 41 different hazardous chemicals banned on EU fields, to be used in agriculture in other countries. In 2020, the EU increased its exports to a shocking 667,000 tonnes of hazardous chemicals banned or severely restricted in the EU (European Chemical Agency/ECHA).
- The EU’s export of harmful pesticides is a gross violation of human rights. It perpetuates preventable pollution that affects individuals and communities’ rights to life, dignity, health, bodily integrity and, not least, their right to a healthy environment, which all EU members states, as parties to the Aarhus Convention, must uphold.
States have an obligation under international human rights law to prevent exposure to pollution, toxic industrial chemicals, pesticides, wastes and other hazardous substances (UN report).
- The EU’s delay of the chemicals reform planned for 2023 is a blow to people’s health and the environment in countries that are affected by the use of European toxic pesticides deemed too harmful for Europeans, on their agricultural fields.
The reforms of the REACH and PIC Regulation (EU Regulation No 649/2012 concerning the export and import of hazardous chemicals) are missing from the European Commission’s 2023 working plan.
- The EU must lead by example and, while it moves towards more sustainable practices and safer alternatives to harmful pesticides and chemicals, it should support other countries to do the same.
The EU’s Chemical Strategy for Sustainability must serve as inspiration to the low- and middle-income countries who are yet to prioritise the well-being of people and the environment in their policies. The EU must support the transition to the use of safe and sustainable alternatives of farmers in low-and-middle-income countries.
