Commissioner Várhelyi has defended the adequacy of the EU's existing pesticide regulation framework to meet the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework target of halving pesticide risks to biodiversity by 2030, while ruling out additional binding measures. In a written answer to MEP César Luena (S&D) on 3 July 2026, Várhelyi pointed to the 61% reduction in the Harmonised Risk Indicator 1 by 2023 compared to the 2011-2013 baseline, arguing that the current trajectory already exceeds the 50% reduction goal. The answer provides no concrete new proposals but reaffirms reliance on the Sustainable Use of Pesticides Directive (SUD) and national action plans.
The question was prompted by concerns over widespread pesticide residues in soils and the potential impact of the Commission's simplification agenda on environmental objectives. Várhelyi insisted that the Food and Feed Safety Simplification Package maintains high protection standards and facilitates the market entry of lower-risk biocontrol substances, which should help replace more hazardous chemicals. He stressed that the Commission will continue working with Member States to sustain the positive trend but is "currently not planning to set any additional binding measures."
The Commission is betting on voluntary national implementation and market-driven substitution rather than new EU-level mandates. Institutional follow-up hinges on the finalisation of the global indicator methodology under the Convention on Biological Diversity by late 2026, which will allow for more precise monitoring. The answer signals that the Commission sees no need for legislative reinforcement, a stance that may face pushback from the European Parliament and environmental NGOs who argue that voluntary measures are insufficient to address soil contamination and biodiversity loss.