Interactive Map Reveals EU's Trade in Banned Pesticides
Unearthed and Public Eye have launched an interactive map detailing the European Union's export trade of pesticides banned for domestic use. The tool visualizes data from nearly 2,000 export notifications obtained via freedom of information laws, covering planned exports for 2024. Investigations reveal that EU companies planned to export approximately 122,000 tonnes of these hazardous chemicals last year, marking an expansion in trade despite previous promises to halt it. The map allows users to trace specific trade routes, identifying exporting companies and importing countries ranging from Algeria to Zimbabwe. While export notifications are imperfect records as actual shipments may vary, they remain the most precise public data available on this issue. The findings highlight a continued discrepancy between EU internal safety standards and its external trade practices. Additionally, the report notes that the UK, post-Brexit, has also increased its exports of banned substances, including toxic weedkillers and neonicotinoids. This release aims to increase transparency and accountability regarding the global distribution of chemicals deemed too dangerous for European agriculture.
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Interactive Map Reveals EU's Trade in Banned Pesticides
Unearthed and Public Eye have launched an interactive map detailing the European Union's export trade of pesticides banned for domestic use. The tool visualizes data from nearly 2,000 export notifications obtained via freedom of information laws, covering planned exports for 2024. Investigations reveal that EU companies planned to export approximately 122,000 tonnes of these hazardous chemicals last year, marking an expansion in trade despite previous promises to halt it. The map allows users to trace specific trade routes, identifying exporting companies and importing countries ranging from Algeria to Zimbabwe. While export notifications are imperfect records as actual shipments may vary, they remain the most precise public data available on this issue. The findings highlight a continued discrepancy between EU internal safety standards and its external trade practices. Additionally, the report notes that the UK, post-Brexit, has also increased its exports of banned substances, including toxic weedkillers and neonicotinoids. This release aims to increase transparency and accountability regarding the global distribution of chemicals deemed too dangerous for European agriculture.
Unearthed