"138 civil society, scientific, water, and farming organisations across Europe have called on European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to fully enforce the EU Pesticide legislation" 28 October 2025

The open letter follows the Commission’s call for evidence on the ‘Food and Feed Safety simplification omnibus,’ which received 6,440 responses, over 90% from EU citizens [1]. Signatories warn that the law is poorly implemented: dangerous pesticides remain on the market for years, loopholes delay action, and human health, water, and biodiversity suffer. 

The coalition also criticises industry and Member State proposals under the “simplification omnibus,” which would widen exemptions for highly hazardous pesticides, extend transition periods for banned substances, and weaken time-limited approvals...

The signatories represent a broad group, including scientists, health groups, environmental NGOs, organic and agroecological farming organisations, water sector representatives and beekeeping federations...

The letter, and the broad response to the consultation, follow repeated demands [4] for ambitious action on pesticides over the last years, including through consultations, barometers, opinion polls, and two successful European citizen initiatives.