EU action on pesticide use: European Court of Auditors publishes special report

On Wednesday 5 February 2020, the European Court of Auditors (ECA) published its special report on EU action on pesticide use. The ECA audited the efficacy of the EU's action to reduce the risks linked to pesticide use since the implementation of Directive 2009/128/EC on the sustainable use of pesticides. Their assessment included efficacy of the measurement of risks and environmental impacts of pesticides, and efficacy of the EU legislative framework regulating their use.
 
The special report presents the results of the audit and concludes that although action has been taken at both EU and national level to encourage sustainable pesticide use, progress has been limited with respect to risk measurement and reduction. It presents the ECA's recommendations for improvement, including measures for increasing the practice of integrated pest management, improving PPP statistics, and improving related risk indicators.
 
The special report and related press release can be consulted on the ECA website at the following links:
 
ECA Special report 05/2020: Sustainable use of plant protection products: limited progress in measuring and reducing risks
 
ECA Press release

Please contact Claudio Mereu should you have any questions or require further information.