European Commission backpedals on Pesticide Rules amid farmer protests

The EC President highlighted that the intention behind the proposed regulations was honorable; they aimed to mitigate risks associated with chemical plant protection products. However, the announcement itself sparked controversy.

"The proposal has become a symbol of division. The European Parliament rejected it, and there has been no progress in the Council. As such, I will recommend that the College (of the European Commission) withdraws this request," said von der Leyen.

Nevertheless, she clarified that this doesn't mean the institution is entirely abandoning the issue. "The issue remains for us to address. To continue our work, we need broader dialogue and a different approach. Based on this, the Commission could propose a new, more mature project developed with the participation of the interested parties," she emphasized.

The proposed regulation, accepted by the EC in June 2022, called for a 50% reduction in the use of chemical pesticides in the EU by 2030. It also proposed banning the use of pesticides in sensitive areas, such as green city spaces (for instance, public parks and gardens), playgrounds, recreational zones, heritage trails, and protected areas within the Natura 2000 network.

The decision to discard the new regulations is tied to farmers' protests. During the European Council's session on February 1, farmers across Europe took to the streets.

"A lot of farmers feel cornered. They are the primary recipients of the effects of climate change. Droughts and floods devastate crops and endanger livestock. They are also feeling the impact of the Russian war, inflation, and rising energy and fertiliser costs. Despite this, they work diligently every day to produce the high-quality food that we consume. For this, they have earned our recognition, gratitude, and respect," conceded von der Leyen.

However, pesticides aren't the only issue European farmers face. In addition to striving to make EU climate policy more eco-friendly, the question of imports from outside the EU continues to generate concern.

"We have initiated an international movement stretching from Ireland to Poland," said Sieta van Keimpema, the secretary of the Farmers Defence Force organisation, in late January.

Bear in mind that protests have been taking place in countries such as Germany, France, Greece, and Poland. The recent demonstrations in Latvia have also attracted extensive attention.

"We are Europe, not a suburb of Moscow. Our Latvian army doesn't need to consume Russian cakes, and our children shouldn't eat bread made from grain grown with the aid of plant protection products that have been banned for 30 years," pleaded Liene Grantina, the organiser of a protest in Bauska, a city on the border with Lithuania.

Agriculture Minister Armands Krauze revealed that most of the farmers' demands have been addressed. For instance, legislation banning grain imports from Russia and Belarus is in the works.