The European Commission moved forward Wednesday with a proposed regulation aiming to cut pesticide use 50% by 2030 in order “to restore damaged ecosystems and bring nature back across Europe[.]”
Europe’s Pesticide Action Network (PAN) stated that “an 80% reduction of pesticides until 2030 and 100% until 2035″ overall will “benefit farmers’ long-term sustainability, the recovery of biodiversity and the protection of citizens’ health.” The EU aims to use plant protection products, which are “pesticides” that protect crops and useful plants, in order to reduce the “risks and impacts on human health and environment and promoting integrated pest management.”
The EU Commission also aims to restore Europe’s nature by 2050 through the proposed Nature Restoration Law which will require member states to develop Nature Restoration Plans. The Commission hopes that these plans will help revitalize habitats across Europe that are in poor ecological condition.
These proposals are part of the European Green Deal which is a strategy for Europe to reverse biodiversity loss and restore nature.