EU exported over 122,000 tonnes of banned pesticides in 2024

The European Union exported more than 122,000 tonnes of pesticides it has banned at home to countries abroad in 2024 ^[1].

The scale of the shipments raises health and environmental concerns, and it highlights a gap between EU internal standards and its external trade practices.

EU officials said a law intended to block the export of banned pesticides has been delayed, leaving the existing loophole in place. The legislation, first proposed in 2022, was meant to align export rules with the bloc’s strict domestic bans, but it has not yet been adopted.

Health advocates said the chemicals linked to cancer, neurological disorders, and biodiversity loss can end up in food supplies and ecosystems in receiving nations. Environmental groups said the exports undermine the EU’s reputation as a leader on climate and public‑health policy.

The 122,000‑tonne figure comes from a European Commission trade database that tracks pesticide shipments. That amount represents a measurable portion of the total pesticide export market, though precise values for individual chemicals were not disclosed.

Critics said the delay reflects competing interests within the EU, where agricultural exporters lobby for market access, while consumer‑protection bodies push for stricter controls. The stalled law may be revisited in the European Parliament’s session later this year.

If the proposed legislation finally passes, it would require exporters to obtain permits for any pesticide that is prohibited within the EU, effectively ending the current practice of sending banned substances abroad.

**What this means** The continued export of banned pesticides shows a policy disconnect that could damage the EU’s credibility on global health and environmental standards. Until the pending law is enacted, the bloc may face increased scrutiny from international partners and domestic watchdogs demanding tighter trade controls.