Urgent Calls for Action in the Agricultural Sector
The latest annual sales figures of pesticides, released today by the CBS, reveal a troubling trend: the continued high sales of the most toxic pesticides. In 2022, nearly 9 million kilograms of pesticides were sold, marking a 4% decrease from the previous year. However, this decrease does not apply to pesticides containing PFAS substances, which saw a disturbing increase of over 13% compared to 2021. Natuur & Milieu expresses deep concern, emphasizing the urgent need to eliminate these toxic substances from our immediate environment for the sake of wildlife, vegetation, and human health. They call upon the government to ban the production of these highly toxic pesticides by the pesticide industry.
Despite governmental policies aimed at reducing pesticide usage, the sales data indicates a stark reality: a significant rise in the sales of the most environmentally harmful pesticides. Since 2010, sales of these pesticides have surged by a staggering 66%. Among the culprits are insecticides such as esfenvalerate, deltamethrin, and lambda-cyhalothrin, which collectively contribute to approximately 90% of water pollution, according to calculations by the PBL. The detection of these substances in water only occurs after the contamination exceeds regulatory limits. Natuur & Milieu stresses the importance of government investments in improved detection techniques for these substances. However, they underscore that it is imperative to develop a comprehensive plan to swiftly remove these pesticides from the market.
This alarming trend demands immediate action from stakeholders across the agricultural sector, including farmers, agronomists, pesticide manufacturers, fertilizer producers, and researchers. Collaboration between governmental bodies, environmental organizations, and industry players is crucial to address the root causes of pesticide pollution and safeguard environmental and human health.
