Recent contributions on the proposed EU reform of pesticide regulation
This page brings together recent contributions, interviews, and articles by members of our research team on the proposed EU reform of pesticide regulation.
Background
With the “Omnibus Simplification package” on food and feed safety proposed in December 2025, the European Commission aims to simplify the regulation of pesticides and clear a backlog of pending pesticide approval applications. The planned changes include, among other things, time-unlimited approval for most active substances, longer transition periods for pesticides whose approval has expired, reduced obligations and opportunities to take new scientific knowledge into account in the authorization process of plant protection products, as well as the removal of documentation requirements for biocontrol products. Whether and in what form the proposal becomes law is still open: both the European Parliament and the Council must agree, and either can substantially amend or reject the text during the legislative procedure.
We follow this development from a scientific perspective: What consequences would such a reform have for environmental risk assessment, for the protection of biodiversity and human health, and for the EU’s long-term environmental commitments?
Research article
Article in Science: “EU Omnibus proposal increases pesticide risks”
The European Commission has proposed an “Omnibus Simplification Package” to streamline pesticide regulation. Despite assurances that environmental and human health standards will be maintained, the proposal was put forward without an impact assessment.
We contend that removing these precautionary safeguards amplifies rather than resolves existing shortcomings in environmental risk assessment, worsens environmental and human health impacts, and undermines the EU’s legally binding environmental commitments. Regulatory efficiency is a welcome objective, but not at the expense of robustness, transparency, or accountability. We therefore offer actionable recommendations that enhance both regulatory efficiency and environmental protection.
Press release
EU Commission’s draft legislation on pesticides: European researchers highlight the risks
A press release issued by the University of Freiburg in connection with our publication in Science (see above) provides an accessible summary of the main criticisms of the “Food and Feed Safety simplification package” and the recommendations put forward by the researchers.
Interviews
Podcast in German: “Dauerzulassung von Pestiziden stoppen” (Stop indefinite pesticide authorisations)
In the latest episode of the podcast “Garten-Update,” Dimitry Wintermantel and Julia Osterman discuss the European Commission’s legislative proposal on the indefinite authorization of pesticides (the “Omnibus Package”).
In the interview, they argue for maintaining the regular re-evaluation of pesticides and for consistently incorporating the latest scientific findings into assessment and approval procedures.
Newspaper article in German: “Bürokratieabbau auf Kosten der Gesundheit?” (Cutting red tape at the expense of health?)
Dimitry Wintermantel and Julia Osterman were interviewed by the Süddeutsche Zeitung as experts on the planned reform of EU pesticide regulation. The article highlights concerns about the potential consequences of relaxing approval procedures for plant protection products.
