EU: Trends in the use and risk of chemical pesticides and the use of more hazardous pesticides

On 5 July 2023, the Commission published updated progress towards Farm to Fork pesticide reduction targets for the period 2011-2021.

EU trends in the use and risk of chemical pesticides

EU trends in the use of more hazardous pesticides

The use and risk of chemical pesticides shows a decrease of 6%* from 2020. And an overall decrease - in the first four years - of 33% from the baseline period of 2015-2017.

The use of more hazardous pesticides shows an increase of 5% from 2020. And an overall decrease - in the first 4 years - of 21% from the baseline period of 2015-2017.

The overall downward trends, in the first 4 years, shows that both Farm to Fork targets can be achieved by 2030.

Member States are encouraged to keep ensuring that chemical pesticides are only used as a last resort, in non-agricultural settings as well as on farms. as foreseen under the Farm to Fork strategy

* Based on the Farm to Fork pesticide reduction 2021 calculations and baselines.