Policy Briefing Toxic Harvest - Ban PFAS Pesticides

The average proportion of fruit and vegetables containing residues of at least PFAS pesticide in the EU has nearly tripled over the decade according to the trendline. [...] Ban PFAS active substances in pesticides The increasingly frequent detection of PFAS in EU-grown food is a clear demonstration of the shortcomings in the pesticide approval procedure. [...] To stop the approval of PFAS pesticides in Europe, there is immediate need to: a) Consider persistence of an active substance or that of its metabolites as an unacceptable effect on the environment in light of the intrinsic toxic properties of synthetic active substances and the cumulative nature of the PFAS pollution. [...] d) Implement the precautionary principle in both risk assessment and risk management to fulfil the primary objective of the Regulation, which is to ensure a high level of protection of humans, animals and the environment. [...] Ban the manufacture and export of PFAS pesticides PFAS active substances must be included in the scope of the universal PFAS restriction.