Fifteen organizations, including Human Rights Watch, have recently taken an important stand by sending letters to European Union officials and lawmakers, demanding action on the EU’s disgraceful hypocrisy concerning the export of toxic pesticides. The European Commission must honor its commitment to halt the export of pesticides that have been deemed too dangerous for European citizens yet are still allowed to ravage the health of people in the Global South.
The contradiction is staggering. EU regulators have classified these pesticides as unsafe for human health and the environment, linking them to devastating outcomes such as cancer, hormonal disruptions, infertility, and neurological diseases. Yet, while EU citizens are safeguarded from these risks, EU-based companies continue to manufacture and export these very same chemicals to countries with weaker regulations, putting vulnerable populations at further risk.
In 2020, the European Commission made a promise to end this appalling double standard, pledging to propose legislation by the end of 2023. However, as 2023 draws to a close, the promise remains unfulfilled, and we are witnessing a disturbing trend: the export of banned pesticides has actually increased since this commitment was made. According to alarming data from civil society organizations like Public Eye and Unearthed, EU countries exported nearly 122,000 metric tons of banned pesticides in 2024—a staggering 50 percent increase from 2018.
This surge in exports predominantly targets low- and middle-income countries, where regulatory protections against such harmful chemicals are characteristically inadequate. Brazil is a prime example of this exploitation. The EU exported nearly 15,000 metric tons of banned pesticides to Brazil in 2024, where the already weak regulatory systems are being further undermined by the pressure exerted by pesticide companies. Research by Human Rights Watch highlights the dire repercussions of these practices, such as shrinking buffer zones and inadequate laws that expose communities to hazardous chemicals. These actions not only threaten human health but also violate basic human rights.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has been vocal in calling out this hypocrisy, citing the undue influence that pesticide companies wield over lawmakers, which contributes to a regulatory environment that prioritizes profit over public health. This blatant disregard for the well-being of citizens in the Global South is a stark reminder of the EU’s moral obligation to lead by example, rather than exploit vulnerable nations for economic gain.
The time for action is now. The European Commission must urgently release the results of the impact assessment initiated in 2023, accompanied by a concrete timeline for the next steps. It is imperative that they introduce a legislative proposal before the end of 2025 to prohibit the manufacture and export of pesticides that have been banned in the EU. The lives of countless individuals and the integrity of ecosystems hang in the balance, and the EU must demonstrate accountability and a genuine commitment to social justice.
We cannot stand by and allow this double standard to persist. The EU’s actions speak louder than its words, and the time for accountability is long overdue. The health and rights of communities around the world depend on immediate and decisive action to end the toxic pesticide trade that the EU has perpetuated for too long.
This article highlights the importance of on Pesticide Trade.
