The Flemish Environment Agency (VMM) reported that in 2022, Flemish authorities employed 2.2 tonnes of pesticides, a slight uptick from the 1.9 tonnes used in 2021. Of this, 88 percent was

applied to permeable surfaces, like dolomite or ballast beds used for train and tram tracks. Smaller proportions were used on sports fields (6 percent) and for pest control (4 percent).

Since 2015, a ban on pesticide use has been in place for all public services, with a focus on public service areas, sensitive regions along watercourses, drinking water protection zones, and locations accessible to vulnerable populations. Nevertheless, exceptions can be made under specific conditions and circumstances.

Thanks to this ban, pesticide usage has significantly decreased, plummeting from 15.7 tonnes in 2010 to 2.2 tonnes in 2022. Government entities, including railway companies SNCB and Infrabel, accounted for 81 percent of pesticide use in Flanders, while municipalities and the Flemish government made up 10 percent and 5 percent, respectively.

Pesticides are primarily utilized for weed control, with herbicides representing 97 percent of pesticides employed by public authorities in Flanders. The remaining 3 percent consists of insecticides used for wasp and oak processionary caterpillar management, as well as rodenticides for rat control.