Green MEP Nicolae Ștefănuță has asked the European Commission to clarify the status of infringement proceedings against Romania for repeatedly granting emergency authorisations for neonicotinoid-treated seeds, a practice he argues undermines EU pesticide restrictions designed to protect pollinators. The question, submitted on 11 May 2026, targets the Commission's enforcement record and the delay in updating guidance following a 2023 Court of Justice ruling.
In October 2025, the Commission opened an infringement procedure against Romania, stating that its emergency authorisations violate the Plant Protection Products Regulation (EC) 1107/2009) and the Court's ruling C-162/21. However, the Commission's guidelines on emergency authorisations have remained "under review" for two years without being updated to reflect the ruling. Ștefănuță asks what is blocking the update and demands a clear publication timeline.
The MEP also questions whether the Commission will launch similar infringement procedures against other member states that have issued emergency authorisations for EU-banned pesticides, such as diquat, 1,3-dichloropropene, abamectin, and cypermethrin. This raises the prospect of broader enforcement across the EU.
Policy orientation and expected follow-up The question signals a push for stricter enforcement of EU pesticide rules and a faster update of Commission guidance. It reflects a cleavage between environmental protection and agricultural flexibility, with potential impacts on farmers (who may lose access to certain seed treatments), pesticide producers (facing reduced market access), national regulators (whose discretion would be curtailed), and pollinator populations (benefiting from reduced exposure). The Commission is expected to reply within approximately six weeks; its answer will indicate whether it plans to escalate enforcement or maintain the status quo.
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