EU faces backlash over omnibus proposal granting unlimited pesticide approvals
Environmental and health advocates are sounding the alarm over a new European Commission proposal that could grant permanent licenses to dozens of synthetic pesticides, including controversial chemicals like glyphosate.
Analysis released by Générations Futures and the Pesticide Action Network (PAN) Europe suggests that under the proposed "Food and Feed Safety Omnibus" package, 49 high-risk substances would bypass the current requirement for periodic safety reviews. If enacted, these substances would receive unlimited approval starting January 1, 2027.
The current EU regulatory framework requires active substances in pesticides to undergo rigorous reassessment—typically every 15 years—to ensure they meet evolving scientific safety standards. The Commission’s new proposal seeks to flip this logic, making unlimited approval the standard and relegating limited-term licenses to "exceptional cases."
While the Commission has not officially listed which chemicals would benefit from these permanent licenses, Générations Futures conducted an independent analysis based on the Commission’s own budgetary projections. Their findings point to several widely used and contentious substances, such as glyphosate, acetamiprid and folpet.
The Commission’s working documents highlight significant administrative savings as a primary driver for the change.
Critics argue these cost-saving measures jeopardize public health. Spokespersons from both Générations Futures and PAN warn that granting permanent approvals makes it nearly impossible for new scientific evidence to trigger bans, effectively dismantling the safety net of periodic re-evaluation and setting health protections back decades.
The NGO coalition has formally written to the European Commission demanding a confirmed list of the affected substances and further clarification on how environmental safety will be maintained. As the proposal moves through the legislative process, it is expected to face fierce opposition from health advocates and green parties within the European Parliament.
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