Banned EU pesticides widely used across Latin America

Nearly half of the pesticides approved for use on major crops in Latin America are banned or not approved in the European Union due to health and environmental risks. A new study published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B analyzed the legal status of hundreds of pesticide active ingredients in eight countries—Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, and Uruguay—and compared them with EU regulations, which are considered among the strictest in the world.

Active ingredients are chemicals in pesticides that directly kill or control pests. The researchers identified 523 such ingredients approved in the region for ten major crops, including soybeans, corn, rice, and sugarcane. Of these, 256, or nearly 49%, were banned in Europe. This list includes acetochlor, bifenthrin, and carbendazim—compounds that are extremely toxic to the environment, animals, and humans. Costa Rica holds the record for the highest number of active ingredients approved but banned in the EU (140), followed by Mexico (135) and Brazil (115).

“The results reveal a profoundly unequal regulatory framework between the two regions, which is significantly less stringent in the Latin American countries analyzed,” notes lead author Grecia de Groot. The analysis found that crops with the highest production volume and export value, such as soybeans, corn, wheat, and rice, contain higher concentrations of substances not permitted in the EU. These findings are alarming, as these crops are of paramount importance to countries whose economies rely heavily on agricultural exports.

Latin America is the region with the highest growth in pesticide use. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, their consumption increased by nearly 500% between 1990 and 2019. Rural workers and residents of nearby areas are directly exposed to the chemicals, while the rest of the population suffers indirectly through pesticide residues in food, water, air, and soil.

The health consequences are already evident. A study conducted in the Brazilian state of Paraná found that chronic occupational exposure to pesticides is associated with more aggressive forms of breast cancer. Many of the women in the study worked in soybean and corn fields. “Many of them work as pesticide applicator assistants and come into contact with these substances while disinfecting protective equipment,” explains researcher Carolina Panis.

Furthermore, a 2024 study published in the Journal of Public Health found pesticides in breast milk in at least ten Latin American countries. “These compounds can pass into breast milk because they accumulate in the environment and, once in the body, can cause hormonal disruptions, infertility, or cancer,” says Professor Rafael Junqueira Buralli of the University of São Paulo. Experts believe the region remains lenient on these substances, despite all the evidence of their harmful effects.

To address regulatory disparities, the study’s authors recommend an immediate ban on the production, sale, and use of all active ingredients classified as highly hazardous. Legislative gaps must be closed to prevent countries with weaker laws from bearing the consequences of the global trade in toxic compounds. The study also highlights the need for improved risk management systems, including assessment protocols and monitoring programs adapted to local conditions. A trade agreement between the South American bloc Mercosur and the EU, which could implement stricter standards, could serve as a potential lever of pressure.

Tags: Brazil, EU, Argentina