Launch of the Pesticide Atlas 2022

Venue: L42, rue de la Loi 42, 1040 Brussels

The new Pesticide Atlas is a comprehensive overview of facts and data on chemicals used in agriculture, their impact on biodiversity, the climate, people and planet’s health, and alternative solutions for more sustainable food and farming systems. It will be presented on 25 October at a public event in Brussels.

60 years ago, Rachel Carson published her globally acclaimed book “Silent Spring” documenting the toxicity of pesticides. Yet, pesticide use and trade have dramatically increased since then, causing harm to the health of farmers, consumers and nature alike. The European Union is one of the world’s biggest markets for pesticides with almost a quarter of all pesticides sold in the EU. It is also the top exporting region, increasingly selling to countries of the Global South to which pesticides that are banned in the EU can still be exported.

While tension is rising between EU officials and national governments on pesticide reduction targets, the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung, together with Friends of the Earth Europe, and Pesticide Action Network Europe, is publishing the first Pesticide Atlas. It ought to raise awareness, provide comprehensive information and foster nuanced debate around agrochemicals used for pest control. As such, the Atlas sheds light on different aspects from scientific research, including the impact of pesticides on soils, waters, biodiversity and health, and highlights alternative models with a more stringent implementation of integrated pest management where synthetic substances are only a last resort option.

How are pesticides used today and what are the consequences of their application? What needs to happen to transform the agricultural and food system in the EU to make it less dependent on chemical pesticides? How can the EU support more sustainable production methods in third countries? Join us on 25 October 2022 to discuss about it.

Programme

Registration and coffee as of 9:00am.

Welcome by Eva van de Rakt, Director, Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung European Union, Brussels

Presentation of the Pesticide Atlas by Dr. Silke Bollmohr, Ecotoxicologist and co-editor of the Pesticide Atlas

Reactions and comments from:

• Sarah Wiener, Member of the European Parliament and rapporteur for the revision of the EU Pesticides Regulation (Greens/EFA)
• Klaus Berend, Acting Director - Food Safety, Sustainability, and Innovation & Head of Unit - Pesticides and Biocides, Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety, European Commission, Brussels
• Clara Bourgin, Campaigner on Food, Agriculture and Nature, Friends of the Earth Europe, Brussels
• Dr. Martin Dermine, Coordinator, Pesticide Action Network Europe, Brussels

Q&A from the audience

Moderation by Lisa Tostado, Head of the International Climate, Trade & Agriculture Policy Programme, Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung European Union, Brussels

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For any questions, please contact Joan.Lanfranco@eu.boell.org