Every year, companies from the European Union (EU) export hundreds of thousands of tonnes of pesticides to countries outside Europe. Many of these substances are banned for use within the EU due to their adverse impacts on human health and the environment. However, current EU legislation still permits their production and export, often to countries where these chemicals remain legal. Kenya is among the countries importing these pesticides. This report documents the severe impacts of unchecked pesticide use on the health of Kenyan farm workers and their communities, as well as the damage to local ecosystems. Evidence presented in this report shows substantial health risks for farm workers and nearby communities, including cases of poisoning and long-term exposure-related illnesses.

Environmental impacts are also being reported, such as contamination of water sources and loss of biodiversity. Farm workers interviewed by Swedwatch report how the pesticides they use cause eye irritation, skin rashes and breathing difficulties. Some recounted stories of workers falling seriously ill, to the point of collapsing in the fields and, in some instances, dying. Farmers described the disappearance of bees and other pollinators from their fields, while health professionals observed rising cancer rates in agricultural areas.

This report documents these developments and highlights the need for stronger international cooperation, improved access to safer alternatives and alignment of global pesticide policies to improve the protection of human health and ecosystems – both in Kenya and globally. Despite the risks and impacts being well-known, corporate actors – along with the states in which they are based – have failed to safeguard people and the environment from these substances. Pesticide producers continue to export hazardous chemicals despite ineffective measures to prevent or mitigate harm. Similarly, the efforts of food retailers to address risks within their supply chains have proven inadequate. This failure by companies to act prompted the Kenyan government to act in June 2025 by banning 77 hazardous pesticides from use in the country and restricting more than 200 others. This remarkable step to protect the people and environment of Kenya is a major achievement. However, this does not absolve exporting states and companies of their responsibilities, particularly as many other countries are still suffering from the impacts of excessive use of highly hazardous pesticides (HHPs). Kenya’s decision to act unilaterally underscores the failure of current Human Rights and Environmental Due Diligence (HREDD) efforts by agribusinesses, food retailers and other companies that continue to benefit from Europe’s double standards. This report also finds that the trade in toxic pesticides is not, and never has been, sustainable. When vegetable shipments from Kenya are intercepted at EU borders due to pesticide contamination, the costs of destruction of the crops are passed on to Kenyan farmers. These farmers invest significant labour and resources to supply the European market, only to see their produce rejected and destroyed. Such an arrangement is both unjust and irrational, particularly when more sustainable alternatives – such as investments in agroecology – are entirely achievable.

Swedwatch is calling on companies to fulfil their obligations to respect human rights and adopt a comprehensive approach to mitigating risks across their value chains. Addressing these issues is essential to ensure that their practices align with global sustainability and equity goals. This report proposes several far-reaching measures, including a fundamental rethink of HREDD and a complete – and overdue – ban on the sale of pesticides that are prohibited in their country of origin