EU to tighten food import rules on banned pesticides

• Published On: 17 February 2025 at 20:09

The EU intends to implement new restrictions on imported food that has been treated with pesticides prohibited within the bloc.

This action responds to European farmers' apprehensions regarding inequitable competition, as they are required to adhere to more stringent regulations while imports frequently do not.

The European Commission intends to implement a regulation prohibiting the reentry of hazardous pesticides, which are banned in the EU, via imported goods, as stated in a draft document scheduled for release on Wednesday.

In the previous year, EU farmers have demonstrated against the increasing imposition of the bloc's climate and environmental regulations.

They also oppose a trade agreement with the Mercosur bloc—Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, and Paraguay—because of its diminished regulatory standards.

The new EU plan may provoke dissent from President Donald Trump, who has frequently criticised the bloc for engaging in inequitable trade practices.

Last week, his administration advocated for reciprocal tariffs on U.S. trading partners, citing non-tariff barriers such as EU regulations as a concern.

The EU has prohibited a select few hazardous pesticides due to health and environmental apprehensions.

An EU official stated that the commission will evaluate toxic pesticide usage individually rather than implementing universal prohibitions, taking into account market conditions and the country of origin.

The EU intends to perform an impact assessment this year to evaluate its competitiveness and compliance with global trade standards.