EU Faces Pressure Over Exports of Banned Pesticides to Developing Regions

The European Union continues to export pesticides banned within its own borders to countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, drawing increasing criticism and calls for a complete export ban.

Each year, over 120,000 tonnes of such pesticides are shipped outside the EU, despite their prohibition for use on European farms.

Current EU regulations require companies to submit export notifications detailing intended uses and shipment volumes, but there are no further controls once the products leave the bloc.

This regulatory gap has raised concerns among public health advocates and political actors.

Reports have linked these exported pesticides to significant health risks.

A Greenpeace study found that nearly half of the pesticides used in food production in South Africa, Ghana, and Kenya are highly hazardous and banned in the EU.

In South Africa, six children died in 2024 from exposure to Terbufos, a highly toxic pesticide manufactured by an American company and banned locally since last year.

The issue has gained political traction following media coverage in Kenya accusing the EU of "exporting death" and ongoing lawsuits against European and US chemical firms in Kenyan courts.

Despite promises to introduce legislation for a complete ban, the European Commission has yet to act, with internal resistance reportedly coming from the office of the Commission President, concerned about the impact on Europe's chemical industry.

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