The world’s biggest pesticide companies make billions of dollars a year from chemicals found by independent authorities to pose high hazards to human health or the environment, according to an analysis by campaigners.

The research also found a higher proportion of these highly hazardous pesticides (HHPs) in the companies’ sales in poorer nations than in rich ones... 

Unearthed used a list of 330 HHPs compiled by Pesticide Action Network International (PAN)...

The FAO and WHO classify some but not all of these pesticides as HHPs on their list...

“Our members support the [voluntary] FAO International Code of Conduct on Pesticide Management,” said a CropLife International [the pesticide industry’s lobby group] spokeswoman. “We support countries to identify, and if necessary, remove HHPs from their markets.” ...

“Pesticides identified on the PAN list are often classified based on the acute toxicity of the active ingredient rather than the formulated product, which is not consistent with practical use” ...

A spokesman for Bayer said the differing sales from nation to nation reflected the different needs of farmers...

A spokeswoman for BASF said: “BASF is convinced of the safety of its products when they are used correctly following the label instructions and stewardship guidelines. All products are extensively tested, evaluated and approved by public authorities in the respective countries. Additionally, all active ingredients in these products are approved in at least one OECD country.” ...

FMC referred the Guardian to the response from CropLife International and Syngenta and Corteva did not respond to requests for comment.

[Note: Syngenta referred Nau.ch to the statement by CropLife International.]