Banning the EU Export of Hazardous Pesticides
In Europe, many hazardous pesticides are banned from being applied to crops because of their harmful effects on humans and the environment. The European Union, however, does not prohibit the production and export of these pesticides. As a result, large volumes of these pesticides are being still shipped from Europe to countries outside of the EU. Most of these exports go to low- and middle-income countries, such as Côte d’Ivoire, Uganda, Sudan, Morocco, Mexico, and Costa Rica. There, authorities often lack the capacity to ensure safe storage and transportation of such harmful chemicals, and many farmers lack the knowledge and training to protect themselves from the risks these products pose to their health and the environment. This results in devastating impacts to ecosystems and biodiversity, and to the health of farmers, workers, and agricultural communities.
Allowing the export of these banned pesticides is an unacceptable double standard that must be stopped. The Rainforest Alliance calls on the EU to adopt an export ban as quickly as possible and to ensure that producers in low- and middle-income countries (especially smallholder farmers) are supported in the transition away from pesticides through training in sustainable and regenerative agricultural practices.