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Environmental information systems
Key message: Use of the more hazardous chemical pesticides in the EU fell by 21% in 2021 compared to the baseline average for 2015 to 2017.
Use of the more hazardous chemical pesticides in the EU-27, 2011-2021
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The European Commission has developed this indicator on use of the most hazardous chemical pesticides to track progress towards the targets on pesticide reduction set by the Zero Pollution Action Plan , the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 and the Farm to Fork Strategy.
The value of the indicator on the use of more hazardous chemical pesticides — also called candidates for substitution — has decreased in the EU by 21% in 2021 compared to the baseline average for 2015 to 2017. However, it increased by 5% between 2020 and 2021. Additional actions will be needed to reach the goal of a 50% reduction by 2030.
The current Directive on the Sustainable Use of Pesticides may have contributed to the downward trend in the indicator, although the implementation and enforcement of its provisions across Member States have been uneven .
One of the key factors that can explain the downward trend is the regulatory risk management measures undertaken by the Member States’ competent authorities, especially through decisions affecting the use conditions and quantities applied. Other factors that may influence the trend in the indicator include changes in user behaviour and the reduced use of chemical pesticides in certain settings.
It is important to underline that this significant decrease has not yet resulted in improved environmental quality.
Please consult the relevant indicators and signals below for a more comprehensive overview on the topic.
The indicator is calculated based on the annual sales of chemical active substances that are approved as candidates for substitution in accordance with Article 24 of Regulation (EC) 1107/2009. These chemical active substances are listed in Part E of the Annex to Implementing Regulation (EC) 2011/540 or in the Annex to Implementing Regulation (EC) 2015/408.
The indicator is presented as an index relative to the average results for the period 2015-2017.
The indicator is based on the data collected by Eurostat under Regulation (EC) 1185/2009 on pesticide statistics.
Relevant objectives under the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability
Minimise exposure of humans and environment to substances hazardous to health and the environment, through risk management measures and full information to users of chemicals
Restore human health and environment to a good quality status
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Other relevant indicators and signals
References and footnotes
- EC, 2021, COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS Pathway to a Healthy Planet for All - EU Action Plan: ‘Towards Zero Pollution for Air, Water and Soil’, European Commission (https://ec.europa.eu/environment/pdf/zero-pollution-action-plan/communication_en.pdf) accessed 22 September 2022.↵
- EC, 2020, COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, European Commission (https://eur-lex.europa.eu/resource.html?uri=cellar:a3c806a6-9ab3-11ea-9d2d-01aa75ed71a1.0001.02/DOC_1&format=PDF) accessed 8 May 2023.↵
- EC, 2020a, COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS - A Farm to Fork Strategy for a fair, healthy and environmentally-friendly food system, European Commission (https://eur-lex.europa.eu/resource.html?uri=cellar:ea0f9f73-9ab2-11ea-9d2d-01aa75ed71a1.0001.02/DOC_1&format=PDF) accessed 15 May 2023.↵
- EC, 2022, COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT IMPACT ASSESSMENT REPORT Accompanying the document Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the sustainable use of plant protection products and amending Regulation (EU) 2021/2115, European Commission.↵
- EEA, 2023, 'How pesticides impact human health and ecosystems in Europe', European Environment Agency (https://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/how-pesticides-impact-human-health ) accessed 11 September 2023.↵
- EU, 2009, Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 October 2009 concerning the placing of plant protection products on the market and repealing Council Directives 79/117/EEC and 91/414/EEC (OJ L 309, 24.11.2009, pp. 1-50).↵
- EU, 2011, Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 540/2011 of 25 May 2011 implementing Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the list of approved active substances Text with EEA relevance (OJ L 153, 11.6.2011, pp. 1-186).↵
- EU, 2015, Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/408 of 11 March 2015 on implementing Article 80(7) of Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning the placing of plant protection products on the market and establishing a list of candidates for substitution (Text with EEA relevance) (OJ L 67, 12.3.2015, pp. 18-22).↵
- EU, 2009, Regulation (EC) No 1185/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 November 2009 concerning statistics on pesticides (Text with EEA relevance) (OJ L 324, 10.12.2009, pp. 1-22).↵