They are a human invention to eliminate pests sometimes caused by insects, but today they are also decimating other species of arthropods of great importance for biodiversity or for basic services such as food production. Paradoxically, according to research by , the EU has not banned any pesticide solely for its toxicity to insects since European standards were defined to assess the risks to these living beings 22 years ago. For Belgian Martin Dermine (Ottignies-Louvain-la-Neuve, 42 years old), executive director of this network of environmental organizations, as well as a veterinarian and beekeeper, “the problem is that the industry has a lot of influence in Europe” when it comes to set the rules on pesticides.
Ask. Are insecticides killing good bugs too?
Answer. In general, insecticides are obviously very toxic to insects, but as the guidelines have been written to evaluate the risk based on the work of scientists from pesticide companies, it is accepted that they cause 100% mortality. The tests are carried out with the hypothesis that the insects will return from other places naturally, which is not scientifically proven. This is highly criticized by researchers not linked to the industry because it does not seem very possible that they will recover when in intensive agricultural areas insecticide sprays are carried out all over the fields, everywhere.
P. Why should non-harmful insects be protected from pesticides?
R. Insects and, according to scientists, the main reasons for this decline are the use of pesticides and the loss of habitats. Climate change is also affecting them, but to a lesser extent, as is the case, for example, with bumblebees, since some species need a colder climate. Insects are the basis of biodiversity: they serve as food for other useful organisms, such as birds, frogs or bats. These animals eat many problem insects, such as mosquitoes or wasps. Insects also provide services for humans, such as pollinating crops, promoting soil fertility, and also consuming crop pests.
P. How are pesticide risks assessed in Europe to identify those that may be harmful?
R. The laws do not explain how to analyze risks, so Member States and EFSA [La Autoridad Europea de Seguridad Alimentaria] They prepare a document with guidelines for carrying out evaluations in the case of insects. The problem is that the industry has a lot of influence in Europe when it comes to setting the rules on the risks of pesticides and the result is that it is being allowed to use very toxic insecticides that kill all insects.
P. An investigation by Pesticide Action Network Europe casts doubt on the functioning of the mechanisms to protect insects. Because?
R. In 22 years, the EU has not banned any pesticides solely because of their toxicity to insects. Pesticides have been banned, but apart from neonicotinoids, which were blocked using risk assessment guidelines for bees, not insects, all have always been banned for human health reasons.
P. Is there much difference between what is toxic to insects and humans?
R. Toxicity to insects and humans is often not identified at the same time. The toxicity of neonicotinoids to bees and insects was identified more than a decade ago, but it is only now that their impact on humans has been proven. When it was banned for environmental reasons in 2008, the industry said that neonicotinoids only affect the neurons of insects, now science clearly shows that they also present a very high risk to human health.
P. Why is your organization now drawing attention to risk assessment of pesticides for insects?
R. Due to pressure from some Member States, the European Commission commissioned EFSA to review the 2002 guidelines for assessing risks to insects and work has been underway on this for a few months. However, the scientists who are participating in the review have conflicts of interest, as they work in parallel with scientists from the pesticide industry. In 2002 the problem with the guidelines is that they were more or less directly written by industry employees, now it is different, EFSA works with laboratories that also have contracts with pesticide companies. Indirectly, there is a conflict of interest.
P. Are there any pesticides being used that are especially harmful to insects?
R. Most are insecticides, such as cypermethrin, which the EFSA recognizes is too toxic for insects and aquatic environments, even if measures are used to reduce the impact, but which the European Commission approved again in 2021. Another example It is Captan, which has also recently been approved again, despite posing a very high risk.
P. One of the main complaints of tractor farmers a few months ago was the limitations on the use of pesticides. What do you think?
R. The reduction in the amount of authorized pesticide substances will continue, because there are many active substances that are very old and when more is known about them, especially by independent university scientists, it is discovered that they are not as safe as was thought ago. 20 or 30 years. Luckily, there are rules in the European Union to protect people’s health and the environment, and also farmers. Pesticide restrictions are also to protect farmers’ health. For me it is really a shame that most agricultural unions only complain and do not help their farmers to change practices and adapt to the future, which will be with much less chemistry in the fields.
P. Can food be grown on a large scale without so many pesticides?
R. There are already many farmers who work with much fewer pesticides to protect, first, themselves and their families, and also the environment. Reductions in pesticide use of more than 50% can be achieved by rotating crops to reduce the presence of pests in the soil or by implementing other measures to increase the number of beneficial insects that kill crop predators. There are alternatives, but knowledge is needed. Fumigating is much easier. A significant investment is needed from the State and the regions to help farmers adapt to the reduction in the amount of active substances available.
P. I imagine it is also difficult to protect insects from pesticides when they continue to generate so much rejection in some people.
R. Yes, although it is very interesting to see the great differences that exist in Europe in the vision of bugs. If you go north, to the United Kingdom, the Scandinavian countries, Germany or Belgium, people have a much more positive idea of insects, I think it is because we have fewer mosquitoes and fewer problematic species. In Mediterranean countries, there is a clear need to raise awareness about the importance of insects, for pollination, crop protection or as a food source for birds. Although the most negative perception is understood in countries with many wasps or mosquitoes, people must be taught to love insects, since they are the base of the chain in ecosystems.
P. What role does Spain play regarding pesticides within the EU?
R. When it is said that the European Commission has authorized glyphosate or banned neonicotinoids, for example, in reality it proposes and it is the Member States that vote. In the case of Spain, which has more weight than other countries due to the size of its population, it often plays a very negative role in the protection of the environment and human health by defending the authorization of many pesticides. It is noted that there is a very important influence of the dominant farmers’ unions in the country.
