By 2030, reduce the overall use and risk of chemical pesticides by 50% and the use of more hazardous pesticides by 50%.

Overview (target 7):

The Zero Pollution Action Plan contains the overall target of reducing by 2050 air, water and soil pollution to levels no longer considered harmful to health and natural ecosystems and that respect the boundaries our planet can cope with, thus creating a toxic-free environment. It further includes the specific target of reducing the overall use and risk of chemical pesticides by 50% and the use of more hazardous pesticides by 50% by 2030.

Main legislation in place:

The Regulation concerning the placing of plant protection products on the market and related legislation lay down rules for the authorisation of such products to ensure a high level of protection of human and animal health and the environment. 

The Sustainable Use of Pesticides Directive establishes a framework to achieve a sustainable use of pesticides by reducing the risks and impacts of pesticide use on human health and the environment and promoting the use of integrated pest management and of alternative approaches or techniques such as non-chemical alternatives to pesticides.

The Water Framework Directive establishes a framework for the protection of inland surface waters, transitional waters, coastal waters and groundwaters, amongst others to reduce the pollution of groundwater and prevent further pollution.

The Recast Drinking Water Directive aims to protect human health from adverse effects of any contamination of drinking water, and Article 4(2) requires Member States to ensure that their measures do not lead to the increase in pollution of waters used for the production of drinking water.

The Marine Strategy Framework Directive (including Commission Decision (EU) 2017/848) establishes a framework within which Member States shall take the necessary measures to achieve or maintain good environmental status in the marine environment.

The Strategic Plans Regulation under the Common Agriculture Policy, notably Article 31(4)(f), requires Member States to establish eco-schemes, which can include actions for sustainable and reduced use of pesticides.

Legislation proposed:

The Commission proposal for a Soil Monitoring Law aims to put in place a soil monitoring framework and to improve soil health to achieve healthy soils by 2050, amongst others to reduce soil contamination to levels no longer considered harmful to human health and the environment. A provisional agreement was reached by the European Parliament and the Council.

Other policy instruments:

The Farm to Fork Strategy, the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 and the Zero Pollution Action Plan all include the commitment to reduce the overall use and risk of chemical pesticides by 50% and the use of more hazardous pesticides by 50% by 2030.

The Circular Economy Action Plan sets out actions for the EU’s transition to a circular economy, which will reduce pressure on natural resources.

The first Zero Pollution Monitoring and Outlook offers a snapshot of the current state of the pollution in the EU and shows the progress made thus far on the 2030 zero pollution targets.

The Revision of the EU Pollinators Initiative - A new deal for pollinators aims, amongst other objectives, to mitigate the impacts of pesticide use on pollinators.

The Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability aims, amongst other actions, to develop an indicator framework on chemicals including pesticides by 2024.

This EU contribution aligns with GBF Target 7, the element on pesticides.

Together with other EU contributions, this EU contribution contributes to the EU implementation of Targets 4 and 10.

For financing and capacity-building, please refer to the EU contributions to Targets 19 and 20.