UN Experts Warn That Plans To Weaken EU Pesticide Law Threaten Human Rights

14 October 2026, EU: Five UN human rights experts have raised “substantive concerns” about the European Commission’s Food and Feed Safety Omnibus. They warn that the proposed changes on pesticide and biocide rules would weaken protections for human health and the environment, and undermine fundamental human rights. These include the rights to life, health, adequate food and a clean, healthy and sustainable environment. Farmers, agricultural workers, rural communities and children living in rural areas are among those most at risk, according to the experts.

In a letter dated 7 October 2026, the experts warn against the proposal to introduce unlimited approvals for most pesticide active substances. They also point out the Omnibus proposal to extend grace periods for products withdrawn on safety grounds, widen derogations for hazardous substances and restrict the use of the latest independent scientific evidence.  

“Such changes seem difficult to reconcile with the precautionary principle and with obligations to respect, protect and fulfil human rights, including the rights of peasants and other people working in rural areas. (…) the proposed measures may be inconsistent with the principle of non-retrogression in human rights and environmental law, which requires that existing levels of protection should not be diminished without compelling justification and strict safeguards,” state the experts.

“We are further concerned that this may adversely affect the enjoyment of the rights to life, to health, to food and to a healthy and safe environment,” they also state.

Lack of an impact assessment

The experts have raised concerns about the lack of a thorough impact assessment of the proposal’s potential effects on human rights, public health and the environment. They have also expressed concern about the insufficient meaningful participation of affected communities and civil society. The letter was sent to EU Member States, the European Commission and Members of the European Parliament.

“The warning from five UN human rights experts sends a strong signal to the EU. We call on the European Parliament and Member States to stand with science, human rights and the public interest,” commented Salomé Roynel, Policy Officer at PAN Europe.

Special concern for farmers and children

The experts highlight that weakening safeguards in pesticide regulation without supporting safer and sustainable agricultural models “could reinforce dependence of farmers on hazardous substances.” For them, farmers, agricultural workers and rural residents, especially women and children living in rural areas, would be the most affected. 

“The UN experts are sounding the alarm: the proposed Omnibus would mean greater (and longer) exposure to harmful pesticides. It is a gift for Big Polluters, and poison for everyone else, especially for farmers and children living in rural areas. EU decision makers cannot ignore this clear warning,” stressed Suzanne Astic, Policy and Advocacy Adviser at the Child Rights International Network (CRIN). 

Instead of weakening safeguards from harmful pesticides, the EU should strengthen pesticide and biocide protections, uphold the precautionary principle, follow the latest independent science and accelerate the transition to safe, sustainable and agroecological farming.

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