Since he was appointed Commissioner for Agriculture, Christophe Hansen has made several statements in which he has committed to ensuring that food imported into the EU meets the same standards as food produced within the EU (1).

In 2022, 69 banned and hazardous pesticides were detected in food sold in the EU, with 53 exceeding the EU maximum residue limits (MRLs). Among the most frequently detected pesticides were carbendazim, clothianidin, thiamethoxam and imidacloprid.

In a joint letter, 24 NGOs call on Commissioner Hansen to end this double standard. In light of the upcoming EU Vision of the Future of Agriculture and Food, they urge Commissioner Hansen to ensure that imported food meets the EU standards and lower all MRLs for EU-banned pesticides to the default LOQ (0.01 mg/kg). Addressing this question is essential to ensure fair competition for European farmers, protect consumer and local communities’ health, and preserve natural resources and ecosystems.

The European Parliament has already shown its support for such a proposal. In 2024, the EP opposed three Commission proposals to maintain MRLs for highly toxic pesticides following their EU ban. Recently, the EP urged lowering all MRLs to LOQ for three very toxic pesticides, including carbendazim.

NGOs also call on the EC to deliver on its promise to provide measures to stop the production and export of banned pesticides (active substances and products). Indeed, despite banning hazardous pesticides within its territory, the EU continues to allow European companies to export these substances to third countries with weaker safety laws. In 2018, over 81,000 tonnes of pesticides containing 41 banned hazardous substances were exported from the EU for agricultural use in third countries. This increased to approximately 120.000 tonnes in 2022.

Notes
(1) For example, see his hearing as Commissioner-designate on November 4, 2024. Interview with a German media outlet on January 15, 2025; Discussion on January 23, 2025 at a meeting of the Irish Farmers’ Association; Press conference on January 27, 2025, Christophe Hansen said he wanted to go further on maximum residue limits for pesticides.