One step closer to banning toxic pesticides

December 4, 2024

Representatives from the European Commission met with us on November 18th

By WeMove Europe

Thanks to the incredible support of this community, we’ve made significant strides to ban toxic pesticides in Europe. Over 260,000 people joined forces in a powerful petition, urging the European Commission to prioritize pesticide reduction. Together, we’ve sent a loud and clear message: people demand a healthier, more sustainable future! Here’s how our community’s contributions have helped so far:

  • Together with other organisations we’ve organized an eye-catching public action in Brussels and delivered over 260,000 signatures to EU policymakers.
  • As a result, politicians responded and invited us to a meeting with European Commission representatives to push for meaningful action.

❝We were not just seven people in that room, we were millions. And they realized it. This meeting represents an undeniable fact: European politicians can no longer turn a deaf ear to the hundreds of thousands of voices asking them to act.❞ -Taïme, representing the WeMove community in the room

Pesticide reportback 2024.jpg

The stakes couldn’t be higher. Pesticides harm public health, devastate biodiversity, and degrade nature. Families living near sprayed fields face severe health risks, including cancer. Pollinators like bees, essential for food security, are vanishing at alarming rates. We’ve shown that European people care deeply about this issue.

Presenting the petition to European Commission representatives was a major step forward. We stood firm, highlighting the urgency of reintroducing pesticide reduction into EU policies and advocating for sustainable farming practices. This isn’t just about reducing pesticides - it’s about protecting health, restoring biodiversity, and building a food system that works for people and the planet.

The meeting concluded with politicians agreeing that reducing pesticides is essential to protect the health of citizens and safeguard our natural resources and food security. EU Commission representatives reaffirmed their commitment to tackling pesticide use across Europe.

Our collective action shows EU institutions that public pressure cannot be ignored. Your support fuels this movement and ensures we can continue fighting for a pesticide-free future. But to succeed, we need to keep the pressure on.

From parents concerned about their children’s future to farmers seeking sustainable solutions, this is a movement of everyday Europeans standing up for what matters. Together, we’ve already achieved so much, and with the support of this community, we will continue making progress in 2025.

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