Scientists and pesticide victims warn EU package could weaken safety checks

The short version

• France 24 reports that former farm workers say they were told pesticides were safe, and now link their cancers to exposure.[France 24]
• The EU is preparing a vote on Omnibus X, expected at the end of October, that includes an amendment to scrap periodic pesticide re-evaluations.[France 24]
• Critics argue this would remove a safety check and let products stay on the market by default.[France 24]
• Ecotoxicologist Martina Vijver's open letter urges a pause pending an independent investigation, and 573 other signatories have joined.[France 24]

Key facts

• José Nadan says sales representatives told him a pesticide he used was so safe you could drink it.[France 24]
• Nadan's prostate cancer, diagnosed six years ago, is officially recognised by France's agricultural social security system as a pesticide-caused occupational hazard.[France 24]
• Requests by agricultural workers for recognition of pesticide-related illness rose from 318 in 2024 to 975 in 2025.[France 24]
• The EU is preparing to vote on Omnibus X, a package that would amend ten existing EU laws covering pesticides and related areas.[France 24]
• Omnibus X includes an amendment to scrap periodic re-evaluation of pesticides and would extend the substitution grace period for banned pesticides from 18 months to three years.[France 24]
• Ecotoxicologist Martina Vijver wrote an open letter on September 17 urging the European Parliament to pause the vote, and 573 other signatories joined.[France 24]
• The vote on Omnibus X is expected to take place at the end of October.[France 24]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.

• ‘So safe you could drink it’: Scientists and pesticide victims fear an EU rollbackFrance 24