‘So safe you could drink it’: Scientists and pesticide victims fear an EU rollback
Summary
Scientists and victims of pesticide exposure in Europe warn that a new EU proposal could slow down the process of removing harmful pesticides from the market. Many farmers and agricultural workers have developed serious illnesses, such as cancer, after being exposed to pesticides once considered safe.Key Facts
- French farmers used pesticides for decades that were advertised as safe but later linked to illnesses like cancer.
- José Nadan, a former beekeeper, used a pesticide containing glyphosate without protection, which he later learned was harmful.
- Pesticides are linked to health problems such as cancer, respiratory illnesses, brain diseases like Parkinson’s, heart disease, and fertility issues.
- A 2023 study found pesticides in all air, dust, and water samples tested across 10 European countries.
- Exposure affects children more, causing delays in development and learning problems.
- Requests for recognizing pesticide-related illness among French agricultural workers nearly tripled from 318 in 2024 to 975 in 2025.
- The EU is considering legal changes that could reduce regular safety checks and make it harder to ban pesticides.
- France is a major user of pesticides in Europe due to its large agriculture sector.
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