Towards reduced impact of pesticides on nature and humans – knowledge integration study

From April to June 2023, a knowledge integration study was conducted by the Research Institute for Nature and Forest (INBO), in collaboration with the Agency for Nature and Forest (ANB), the Department of Environment, and the Flemish Environment Agency (VLM), examining the impact of pesticides on Flemish nature and the nature objectives, as well as their effect on humans. The findings are briefly summarized below. The complete report can be found here (report in Dutch with English summary).

Ecological and health risks

The uptake of pesticides by living organisms occurs through various pathways such as food, water, air and skin contact. Pesticides can have different effects. They vary in selectivity and impact, with systemic ones potentially causing widespread effects. Furthermore, they differ in persistence, with some lasting longer and posing potential risks even after degradation. Additionally, synergistic toxicity can arise from combination of pesticides, potentially increasing harm even at low concentrations. Current approval procedures for pesticide’s active ingredients often overlook long-term ecological impacts, relying on short-term laboratory tests that fail to capture real-world complexities. Despite the withdrawal of some chemicals due to their harmful impacts, these procedures lack adherence to the precautionary principle and demand more comprehensive ecotoxicological testing.

Pesticides have an impact on a wide range of organisms, and are known to accumulate within food webs, affecting non-target species and thereby disrupting ecosystem dynamics. Furthermore, numerous studies have linked pesticide exposure to adverse health effects in humans, including chronic diseases and cancer. 

Mitigating pesticide risks

To mitigate pesticides risks, measurements should be taken to minimize pesticide use, loss and spread. Buffer zones for examples can be a good start to reduce pesticide drift and runoff. Wider adopting or enforcing measures such as Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and agro-ecological practices can make a big difference.

Additionally, policy tools like stricter approval procedures, increased taxation on pesticides, and banning pesticide use within protected areas are advocated to safeguard biodiversity and human health. Overall, there is an urgent need for proactive measures to mitigate the adverse impacts of pesticides on both nature and human health.