Belgium has announced a ban on the export of certain pesticides to non-European Union (EU) countries. The decision, revealed by Environment Minister Zakia Khattabi from the
French-speaking Greens party (Ecolo), aims to address the issue of "double standards" in the export of harmful pesticides from Belgium.
Belgium becomes the second country to introduce such a ban, according to Minister Khattabi. The measure will prohibit the export of pesticides that are either banned or strictly regulated within the European market. These pesticides have been deemed hazardous to human, animal, and environmental health, leading to their prohibition in the EU.
Minister Khattabi emphasized the importance of aligning export practices with the EU's standards. She stated, "These products are banned from the European market precisely because their use is very harmful to human, animal, and environmental health. What is not healthy here is obviously unhealthy elsewhere."
The move comes after Belgium faced criticism earlier this year for continuing to export the pesticide chlorpyrifos to non-EU countries. Chlorpyrifos has been banned in the European Union since 2020 due to its reported association with "adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes" in children.
Greenpeace Belgium spokesperson Joeri Thijs expressed concerns about Belgium's pesticide exports, stating, "Belgium seems to be the biggest exporter of a dangerous pesticide that has been banned in Europe for three years, mainly to low-wage countries where the population is often more vulnerable to the health effects of such toxic products. According to the letter of the law, this may not be a problem (yet), but it is simply immoral."
The export of toxic pesticides not only poses risks to consumers outside the EU but also creates unfair competition for European farmers who are restricted from using these pesticides.
By implementing the ban on the export of harmful pesticides, Belgium aims to uphold higher environmental and health standards and prevent the proliferation of these substances beyond its borders. Photo by MagVanOtter, Wikimedia commons.