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- Tuesday, September 29, 2026
Parliamentary hearing on Food and Feed Safety Omnibus: Misleading ‘yield and substance loss’ narrative to keep the most toxic pesticides
Parliamentary hearing on Food & Feed Safety Omnibus: Misleading ‘yield and substance loss’ narrative to keep the most toxic pesticides (PAN Europe, September 3, 2026)
Yesterday’s joint hearing of the European Parliament’s ENVI and AGRI committees on the Food & Feed Safety Omnibus was dominated by claims that farmers need continued access to toxic pesticides to maintain yields and fight growing pesticide resistance. This argument turns the problem on its head: the intensive use of pesticides is itself driving pest resistance, creating a treadmill in which declining effectiveness is used to justify access to ever more pesticides. This “yield and substance loss” narrative locks European agriculture into a chemical model that is failing, while overlooking the impacts of pesticides on health and biodiversity.
The hearing itself was also deeply unbalanced. Most speakers represented organisations linked to pesticide-intensive agriculture, with Pr Dr Martina Vijver (Leiden University) the only independent scientist addressing environmental toxicity and pesticide impacts.
"No scientist with expertise on the impacts of pesticides on human health was invited. This is particularly concerning given the growing body of scientific evidence warning that this proposal will lower the level of protection for human health and the environment without delivering the promised simplification," said Salomé Roynel, Policy officer on Pesticide Risk Assessment at PAN Europe.
This is a vicious cycle with no sustainable endpoint for EU farmers. Meanwhile, soil quality is declining, pollinators are disappearing, and crops are becoming more vulnerable to diseases 2.
A representative of the Czech national authorities pointed to capacity constraints and delays in pesticide assessments as a reason to support unlimited approval. However, they conveniently overlook a major source of these delays: incomplete industry dossiers, which force authorities to repeatedly request missing information and substantially prolong assessments.
SNAP Comment: Agency names are different, likely with different processes. I feel the same is true in Canada. Here we call it 'benefit-risk assessment' for each pesticide where benefits trump any evidence of harm, and new evidence from independent researchers is never considered as valid as industry research.
filed under Legislation/Regulatory/Europe
- Tuesday, September 29, 2026
European Parliament vetoes more residues of Flupyradifurone insecticide in food
European Parliament vetoes more residues of Flupyradifurone insecticide in food (PAN Europe, September 16, 2026)
While the toxicity of neonicotinoids to pollinators is now well-known among citizens and decision-makers, the risk they pose to foetuses and young children is still disregarded and not prioritised. Brain development in early life stages is very sensitive to interactions with neurotoxicants. Scientific research has shown that neonicotinoids, due to their systemic properties, directly pass the placental barrier and interact with neurons within developing brains. Currently, regulatory tests do not assess the impact of such exposure on cognitive functions, which is, considering the state of scientific knowledge, unacceptable.
SNAP comment " Table for current MRL in European food (recent changes only, made to avoid trade barriers after 'not identify a consumer health risk') and in Canada Add .03 ppm proposed for mustard seeds (2024) in Canada. We measure in ppm (part per million) compared to Europe who measures in mg/kg. The numbers are equivalent. MRLS in Canada are determined by using the NOAEL (No adverse effect levels) and dividing it by a safety factor.. When no specific limit is set, pesticide residues must not exceed 0.1 ppm. In Europe This ls the limit of detection in this case .01 ppm, 10 times lower..
filed under Flupyradifurone and Pesticides in foods
- Monday, September 28, 2026
Hormone-disrupting herbicide contaminating 25% of continental US rivers, report finds
Atrazine
Hormone-disrupting herbicide contaminating 25% of continental US rivers, report finds (The Guardian, 28 Septembr 2026)
Atrazine, banned in 60 countries, polluting rivers at levels that can harm wildlife and may threaten human health.
The hormone-disrupting herbicide atrazine is contaminating nearly 25%, or about 860,000 miles, of all continental US rivers at levels that can harm wildlife and may threaten human health, a new review of federal records has found. The waterways cover over 20% of surface drinking water intakes across the country, and over 675,000 private and commercial wells.
Atrazine can be particularly harmful to reproductive systems, and is linked to the “feminization” of the male gonads, irregular menstrual cycles, lower sperm counts, poor semen quality and lower fecundity in men and women.
“At the time (1990s) it was known that atrazine was the most common pesticide contaminant in drinking water, rain, surface water, and groundwater. You name it – atrazine was there,” Hayes told the Guardian. He noted it also travels via the atmosphere, and the US government found atrazine sprayed in Kansas can rain down on Minnesota.
“The effects are very clear, and in my opinion there is no safe level at which atrazine can be used because it is active in amphibians at .1 ppb, and there can be atrazine at 100 times that in rainfall,” Hayes added.
SNAP Comment: 17 (from 66 historically) atrazine containing pesticides registered in Canada in September 2026. It is listed for use on corn in Saskatchewan in AAtrex and Primextra II Magnum formulations. As it easily travels via the atmosphere, it can easily reach Saskatchewan in weather systems coming from the South.
filed under water and atrazine
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- Saturday, September 26, 2026
Whistleblower alleges Driscoll s sent millions of berries with excess chemical levels to Canada
Whistleblower alleges Driscoll’s sent millions of berries with excess chemical levels to Canada ( (CBC News, 26 September 2026)
'The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) confirmed to CBC News it conducted several inspections on Driscoll’s berries sold in grocery stores across the country between 2022-24 and found chemical levels above the legal limit in Canada.'
The chemicals include the insecticide bifenthrin, and the fungicides iprodione and captan:
.'However, the CFIA says the inspections did not lead to recalls, or a corrective action was implemented and the investigations were closed.
Some investigations were also triggered after reports of suspected illness after eating Driscoll's blueberries, or by complaints of chemical taste and smell. The CFIA said the reported illness could not be definitively linked to the berries.
The CFIA says it takes appropriate action depending on the magnitude of the health risk.
Actions include notifying the producer or importer, the specific supplier and follow-up inspections.
Recalls are issued if Health Canada determines that a product poses an unacceptable health risk.
(Harada) believes the potentially tainted berries crossed the border because in 2022, Driscoll’s removed the food safety and compliance tracking system it had for Canada in order to sell more here.'SNAP Comment: Hopefully the truth will come out in discovery in the lawsuit. In Canada there are still 12 (from 85) Captan pesticides registered in spite of it being a carcinogen; 5 (from 32) Iprodione even though it is a reproductive and developmental toxicant, bee toxicant, moderately acutely toxic, Bifenthrin is not currently registered but had 4 registrations historically. The issue is that the government does not do its job. I guess the risk was not judged to be high enough. Question: how do they measure risk? Traditionally, the acceptable level of contaminant is 1/100 of the LD50) (dose at which 1/2 of the test animals die). There should be an extra factor of 10 to protect children health for 1/1000 but it is rarely applied. This is based only on 'the dose makes the poison' which is now known for over 30 years to be inadequate in evaluating carcinogens, endocrine disruptors and developmental toxicants. Many chemicals have different effects at low dose and this never makes it into the pesticide registrations or re-evaluations. Mixtures are not tested by industry and generally discounted by regulatory agencies. As a chemically sensitive person, I can guarantee you that my hands would get numb just touching contaminated produce so the toxicologist's statement that one would have to eat 19 kg of berries to get sick is ridiculous. I got sick just touching it. If the extra factor of 10 is applied for children, that would be only 1.9 kg eaten. The professor's statement of a one time exposure is also very unrealistic considering this contamination ocuirred over 3 years, and that people moving to organic foods decrease pesticides in their blood and urine within a week as most conventional food is contaminated.
filed under food/ p.3 and Legal/Litigation
- Thursday, September 24, 2026
Canada releases the first ever biological control agent to tackle invasive common tansy
Canada releases the first ever biological control agent to tackle invasive common tansy (CABI News, August 18, 2026)
Tansy impacts the country and wider region’s livestock, rangeland, and native biodiversity. The release of the agent – a stem-mining weevil called Microplontus millefolii – marks a major milestone in efforts to manage this invasive plant across North America, reducing its ecological and economic impacts.
In partnership with the British Columbia Ministry of Forests, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) conducted the first releases of 1,200 adult weevils in May this year at three sites in British Columbia (BC). AAFC conducted a further release of 400 weevils in Alberta in June, and plans additional releases for sites in BC, Alberta, and Saskatchewan this fall. These releases target areas experiencing significant, negative impacts on agriculture and biodiversity. At the same time, they also allow AAFC scientists to study how different environments influence the success of the weevils’ establishment in their new habitat, and quantify agent impacts on the tansy under different climatic conditions.
SNAP Comment: I remember how widespread tansy was in the Preeceville area. I have alse seen it in Prince Albert, and it is starting to establish along the creek in Regina. I have also seen it in some gardens in Regina. It should be on the noxious weeds list and not allowed for sale or distribution.
filed under alternatives/weeds/tansy
- Friday, September 18, 2026
Foxtail Be Gone A GUIDE TO PREVENTING AND CONTROLLING FOXTAIL BARLEY
Foxtail Be Gone A GUIDE TO PREVENTING AND CONTROLLING FOXTAIL BARLEY (City of Saskatoon)
p. 4 and 5 describe prevention and control. Mowing, cover crops and tillage are very effective. Herbicides are recommended in last resort.
filed under Alternatives/Weeds
- Tuesday, September 15, 2026
Spraying should be the last option’: how farmers are exploring alternatives to pesticides
When pesticide proved no match for the insect, desperate Phyllis Nvuda tried a new way to save her infested orchard
Spraying should be the last option’: how farmers are exploring alternatives to pesticides When pesticide proved no match for the insect, desperate Phyllis Nvuda tried a new way to save her infested orchard ( The Guardian, 13 September, 2026)
“The shift from chemical pesticides to IPM was not just an agricultural decision; it was a moral one,” Nduva said. “I realised that what I was doing was harming the environment, exposing my family and consumers to chemicals and contributing to climate change.
“Before, we would just leave the damaged fruits on the farm. This caused the pests to continue multiplying. Now we are controlling pests in a way that protects both the crop and the environment.”
Pesticide use in Kenya has risen steadily over the past few decades: pesticide imports surged from 6,400 tonnes in 2015 to more than 15,600 tonnes in 2019, with farmers now spending an estimated $70m (£52m) annually.
But Nduva and other IPM adopters have experienced ecological and economic recovery. Nduva’s harvest losses have dropped to under 20% and pollinators have returned to her farm, boosting fruit quality. Without the mandatory chemical withdrawal periods, she can harvest and sell her fruit the moment a buyer is ready.
filed under Integrated Pest Management/effectiveness
- Monday, September 14, 2026
The WHO Recommended Classification of Pesticides by Hazard and Guidelines to Classification 2019
The WHO Recommended Classification of Pesticides by Hazard and Guidelines to Classifi cation 2019
LD50 for the rat (mg/kg body weight)
Class Oral Dermal
Ia Extremely hazardous < 5 < 50 Ib
1b Highly hazardous 5–50 50–200
II Moderately hazardous 50–2000 200–2000 III
III Slightly hazardous Over 2000 Over 2000U Unlikely to present acute hazard 5000 or higher
SNAP Comment. First thoughts: What strikes me on this table is that there is no respiratory exposure considered, and that it adds to the dermal when one runs into spray unless one wears a mask. Of course, I knew that pesticides are not regularly tested for this route but I find it a glaring omission in international standards intended somewhat to protect health.
Also, p8, whether the toxicity of a single ingredient should be used to extrapolate toxicity of a formulation.
Considering that active ingredients are generally either water or fat soluble and that they need to be both to penetrate living cells, the formulants in a formulation are added to fill up that 'deficiency' and make the product both water and fat soluble so it can penetrate any living cell. That basic principle makes it impossible in my view to 'extrapolate' toxicity of a formulation from a single product.SNAP also recognizes that the data for formulations toxicity is often not available.
see also WHO Guidance on chemicals and health (latest is 2024 version)
filed under Safety of Pesticides
- Monday, September 14, 2026
Saskatchewan 2026 GUIDE TO CROP PROTECTION
Saskatchewan 2026 GUIDE TO CROP PROTECTION lists all the pesticide formulations allowed for sale in Saskatchewan and their uses. Be warned, it is an extensive list! A new guide is produced every year. Also from the Government of Saskatchewan
filed under Pesticide Use and Sales/ Canada
- Monday, September 7, 2026
Almost half of the world s farmers are poisoned by pesticides every year
Almost half of the world's farmers are poisoned by pesticides every year (PANNA, September 2, 2026)
A new study published in Frontiers in Public Health?shows that over 400 million of the world’s farmers and farmworkers suffer from acute pesticide poisoning annually. Acute pesticide poisoning is any illness or health effect experienced a short time after exposure (for example, within 48 hours) Total fatalities around the world from unintended pesticide poisonings are estimated at around 11,000 deaths per year. This total excludes the 84 million children working in global agriculture who are even more vulnerable to toxic chemicals than adults, as well as rural families exposed through spray drift and environmental exposure. Farmers may also consume highly contaminated food... Furthermore, personal protective equipment is frequently too costly and impractical in hot climates. This study only looked at acute poisonings, not long-term chronic effects which are harder to measure.
filed under Pesticide Poisoning