For over two decades, officials in Brussels have sidestepped the law and authorised dozens of pesticide compounds by following guidelines written with the help of major agrochemical firms, the report by the Pesticide Action Network (PAN) Europe found.
The guidelines give a green light to pesticides that cause staggering losses of insects, spiders, beetles, butterflies, and other arthropod bugs. In some regions of Europe, insect biomass has declined by an alarming 75 per cent over approximately 25 years, PAN Europe reports.
The guidelines are now being updated with dangerous consequences for yet more species.
Pesticides are responsible for a ‘severe decline’ of insects
Known as “the little things that run the world”, arthropods have diverse ecological roles and are essential to the food supply of almost all land animals and humans. Scientists say agricultural intensification is the single main reason for insects' “severe decline” and that pesticides are a major cause.
The EU Pesticide Regulation states that pesticide products should have no unacceptable effects on the environment and non-target species, taking into account their impact on biodiversity and ecosystems. In practice, however, pesticides that are highly toxic to insects and other bugs - and negatively impact biodiversity - continue to be systematically approved in the European Union.
This is possible due to an outdated and biased Guidance Document, which details how the impact of pesticides on 'non-target' arthropods should be assessed in the EU. It has not been revised since it was first adopted in 2002.
This guidance allows for the killing of arthropods with almost no limits, PAN Europe warns. More of this article (EuroNews) - link - more like this (pesticides) - link - more like this (EU) - link
Known as “the little things that run the world”, arthropods have diverse ecological roles and are essential to the food supply of almost all land animals and humans. Scientists say agricultural intensification is the single main reason for insects' “severe decline” and that pesticides are a major cause.
The EU Pesticide Regulation states that pesticide products should have no unacceptable effects on the environment and non-target species, taking into account their impact on biodiversity and ecosystems. In practice, however, pesticides that are highly toxic to insects and other bugs - and negatively impact biodiversity - continue to be systematically approved in the European Union.
This is possible due to an outdated and biased Guidance Document, which details how the impact of pesticides on 'non-target' arthropods should be assessed in the EU. It has not been revised since it was first adopted in 2002.
This guidance allows for the killing of arthropods with almost no limits, PAN Europe warns. More of this article (EuroNews) - link - more like this (pesticides) - link - more like this (EU) - link
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