The Flemish NGO Broederlijk Delen organised a protest on Saturday in Antwerp against dangerous pesticides.
Dozens of supporters gathered on the Meir to inform passersby about the European Union’s “double standard” regarding pesticide regulation.
The protest is part of the “Together We Harvest Success” campaign, which runs until 20 April 2025.
“Europe protects itself but pollutes elsewhere,” said director Lieve Herijgers. She explained that while dangerous pesticides are banned in the EU due to their high toxicity to humans and the environment, they can still be produced and exported to other countries. “Apparently, the health of some is valued more than that of others,” she added.
Related News
- Disruption central: The strikes and protests to watch this month
- British trade union to protest against Veolia in Brussels
- Code Rood demonstration in Mechelen proceeded peacefully
Between 2013 and 2022, Belgium exported 16 different pesticides prohibited in the EU. Broederlijk Delen believes this policy is unjust, advocating for an EU-wide export ban on such pesticides.
The EU currently employs the PIC procedure (Prior Informed Consent) from the Rotterdam Convention for pesticides it bans, theoretically protecting health and the environment in importing countries. However, Herijgers pointed out that poor countries often lack the capacity to make informed decisions about importing these substances. She emphasised that Africa is almost entirely reliant on imports.
As a solution, Broederlijk Delen promotes agro-ecology, a farming system that produces food without pesticides.
