On 16 December, the European Commission is expected to present a ninth “omnibus” draft regulation, this time on food security. The leaked working version published in the press paves the way for a significant weakening of the EU’s health and environmental protections in the field of pesticides. Presented as a simplification measure, this reform could in fact profoundly reshape regulation in Europe.

What does the leaked proposal contain?

• Unlimited approvals
  Currently, pesticides are reassessed every 10–15 years in light of new scientific data. The proposal envisages unlimited authorisations for most substances. Without these periodic reviews, substances such as chlorpyrifos (a neurotoxin) or mancozeb (an endocrine disruptor) would never have been banned.

• Reduced ability of Member States to act on new scientific evidence
  Member States could rely on outdated EU assessments without integrating the most recent scientific data when granting national authorisations.

• A doubling of grace periods
  Even after being banned, hazardous pesticides could continue to be sold and used for an additional 3 years, prolonging exposure to toxic substances.

• A partial step forward on import requirements
  The proposal also envisages lowering residue limits for the most hazardous substances (carcinogens, endocrine disruptors, etc.) in imported products. This is a step forward, but it would apply to only a quarter of the 72 substances banned in the EU and would exclude many products (animal feed, processed goods, etc.).

This proposal is part of a broader “regulatory simplification” strategy launched by the Commission in 2024, with 8 Omnibus packages already adopted or under discussion in various fields (environment, chemicals, digital policy, etc.).