The Vision on Agrochemicals in EU Agriculture

The EU chemical industry is highly regulated, so it is the use and trade agrochemical products. The Vision on Agriculture and Food, released on February 19 2025, has explained the strategy of the European Commission on the future of agrochemicals. The Commission aims to align production standards for imported products with EU values, particularly focusing on food safety and environmental protection. The ambition of the Vision poses technical and political challenges needing reflections and evidence-based recommendations. For instance, the ban on the most hazardous agrochemicals, already prohibited in the EU for health and environmental reasons, from entering the EU market via imports, requires reflections to preserve the competitiveness and resilience of the agri-food sector. In its efforts to reduce harmful agrochemicals use, the EU acknowledges the introduction of alternatives like biological or low-risk plant protection products, including a fast-track procedure for their market entry and provisional authorizations for products still under evaluation. Additionally, the Commission will address the export of hazardous chemicals, including pesticides, banned within the EU.