Exports of chemicals banned in the EU
8.10.2025
Question for written answer E-003973/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Gerben-Jan Gerbrandy (Renew), Sigrid Friis (Renew), Martin Hojsík (Renew)
In its chemical strategy for sustainability, the Commission committed to ensuring that hazardous chemicals banned in the EU are not produced for export, including by amending relevant legislation. Yet, no initiatives have been proposed.
At the same time, according to recent investigations, there has been an explosive 50 % rise in exports of pesticides considered too dangerous for use that are being produced in certain Member States, especially to low- and middle-income countries. This poses serious risks to workers, sensitive groups and citizens in general in those countries, as well as to the environment. Considering the current legislation, the European public remains concerned that products containing crops grown using banned pesticides subsequently return to the internal market and are being supplied to European companies.
- 1.What concrete measures is the Commission going to take to accelerate the implementation of the results of the 2023 public consultation, aimed at prohibiting the production and export of all hazardous pesticides banned in the EU to prevent further damage to the environment and public health?
- 2.What legal tool is the Commission going to use to ban exports of chemicals banned in the EU before Q2 2026?
- 3.Does the Commission agree that exporting these pesticides directly conflicts with the stronger action needed on residues of banned pesticides, as mentioned in the Commission communication entitled ‘A Vision for Agriculture and Food’?
Submitted: 8.10.2025