On 25 August 2022, the European Commission published updated EU Harmonised Risk Indicators for pesticides for the period 2011-2022 for the EU. The data shows Harmonised Risk Indicator 1 (HRI1), which measures the use and risk of pesticides, has decreased by 22% since the baseline period in 2011-2013.
Reacting to the results, Anika Gatt Seretny, Senior Communications Manager of CropLife Europe, said: “Year after year, the HRI1 indicator continues to show a decrease in pesticides use and risk. At the same time, there continues to be a disproportionate rise in derogations granted by member states, which clearly demonstrates that farmers need exemptions. Farmers require equally efficient innovative solutions to replace those that are no longer available. Currently, products are removed at a much faster rate than new ones become available which jeopardises the Farm to fork objectives.”
You can find the European Commission’s updated EU Harmonised Risk Indicators here.