Phase Out Harmful Pesticides from Agriculture – Op-ed from Agroforestry Network
This article was originally published on Aktuell hållbarhet, September 24th 2025
The use of harmful pesticides is increasing globally – with severe consequences for people and the environment. It is high time to transition to sustainable farming and to stop the export of EU-banned substances, write five experts in international agricultural and environmental issues.
Pesticides are used on a massive scale and have become a central method in global agriculture, particularly for small-scale farmers. But overuse and mismanagement of synthetic pesticides cause serious harm – especially in low-income countries.
Research shows that we have already exceeded the planet’s boundaries for chemical pollution, with synthetic pesticides as a major contributor. Despite this, the EU continues to export substances that are banned within the Union.
We call for two urgent measures to accelerate the phase-out of harmful pesticides:
- Transition agriculture to sustainable farming systems with agroecology and agroforestry
- Stop the export of EU-banned pesticides
Environmental Damage and Health Risks
According to FAO, three out of four crops depend on pollinators – which are declining drastically worldwide, partly due to synthetic pesticides. At the same time, pesticides leak into groundwater, with negative impacts on ecosystems and human health.
Small-scale farmers, who manage about 99% of the world’s farms and produce 60% of global food, are particularly exposed to health risks. Often, they handle pesticides without protection or guidance. In rural areas of low- and middle-income countries, pesticide poisoning is widespread.
Sustainable Alternatives
It is high time to shift to sustainable farming methods that protect not only crops but also farmers’ health and the well-being of the planet.
Agroecology and agroforestry are proven methods that strengthen agricultural resilience and build on natural processes and ecological interactions. They enhance ecosystems’ ability to self-regulate, reducing the need for chemical fertilizers and synthetic pesticides.
Stop the Export of Banned Pesticides
Despite the EU’s ambition to reduce the use of synthetic pesticides, member states continue to export chemicals deemed too hazardous for use within the Union – often to low- and middle-income countries with limited import controls. This violates international commitments on human rights.
Several recipient countries are taking action themselves – Kenya, for example, recently banned the import of 77 pesticide products – but weak regulation and oversight make national bans insufficient. Responsibility therefore lies with the exporting countries.
An export ban would have a strong positive effect on recipient countries, while the impact on the EU’s economy would be marginal. In 2019, banned pesticides made up only 2% of the EU’s total pesticide exports. A ban would also reduce the risk of these substances returning to the Union as residues in imported food.
A Call to Action
Global demand for organic and toxin-free products is rising rapidly – in 2023, the market for organic food reached more than €136 billion. As a result, interest in farming methods such as agroecology and agroforestry has grown.
By embracing these methods – and banning the export of EU-prohibited pesticides – we can enable a real shift. But this requires shared responsibility from policymakers, businesses, producers, and consumers. We call for:
Governments
- Ban the export of substances not allowed under EU law.
- Phase out subsidies and tax incentives for chemical-intensive agriculture.
- Invest in research on agroecology and agroforestry.
- Train agronomists, advisors, and farmers in Integrated Pest Management (IPM), biological and mechanical control, and push-pull technology.
- Protect pollinators through national strategies.
Business and Market Actors
- Stop producing export products that are not approved within the EU.
- Develop a functioning market for biobased agricultural inputs.
- Strengthen monitoring and certification in developing countries.
- Strengthen value chains for organic products.
Consumers
- Demand information about pesticide use in food.
- Choose products grown organically in line with agroecological principles.
Development Cooperation and Civil Society
- Increase investments in agroecology and agroforestry.
The situation is urgent. To secure food production that safeguards both the environment and human health, the phase-out of harmful pesticides must begin now.
Charlotta Szczepanowski, General Secretary, Vi Agroforestry
Karin Lexén, Secretary General, Swedish Society for Nature Conservation
Anders Lindén, Chair, Agroforestry Sweden
Madeleine Fogde, Director, SIANI
Kristina Mastroianni, Agriculture Sector Lead, NIRAS