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  4. The Pesticide Omnibus: Necessary Simplification of an Overburdened System—or a Threat to Human Health and the Environment?

The Pesticide Omnibus: Necessary Simplification of an Overburdened System—or a Threat to Human Health and the Environment?

Research
Sustainability and environment
Society and economy

The European Commission’s Food and Feed Safety Simplification Package proposes significant changes to EU rules governing pesticides and biocides, including how active substances are reassessed and authorised. While the Commission aims to streamline regulatory procedures and reduce administrative burdens, researchers have raised concerns about possible consequences for the incorporation of new scientific evidence and the protection of human health and the environment. This FRAM seminar brings together two leading ecotoxicologists to discuss the scientific and regulatory implications of the proposal and the evolving negotiations within the EU institutions.

Webinar
Date
16 Oct 2026
Time
14:00 - 15:00
Location
online
Participants
Thomas Backhaus
Martina Vijver
Organizer
FRAM
Link to webinar

Simplification versus protection: what would the Omnibus change for pesticides and biocides? 

Thomas Backhaus, Professor of Ecotoxicology and Environmental Risk Assessment, RWTH Aachen University / FRAM, University of Gothenburg 
Drawing on his recent analyses of the Food and Feed Safety Omnibus, Thomas will discuss the proposed changes to pesticide and biocide authorisation and reassessment, including the shift away from routine periodic reassessment. He will consider how these reforms may affect the incorporation of new scientific evidence and the broader balance between regulatory simplification and protection of human health and the environment. 

Where does the Omnibus stand now? The evolving EU policy debate 
Martina Vijver, Professor of Ecotoxicology and Scientific Director, Institute of Environmental Sciences, Leiden University 
Martina will provide her perspective on the ongoing debate around the Omnibus proposal and discuss how scientific evidence and concerns are being addressed as the file moves through the European Parliament, Council and wider EU policy process.  

Questions and discussion  
Thomas and Martina will be joined by Julia Osterman, who co-authored "EU Omnibus proposal increases pesticide risks” to answer questions and discuss the topic further. 
 

Further reading 

[1] European Commission (2025). Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council … as regards the simplification and strengthening of food and feed safety requirements. COM(2025) 1030 final, 16 December 2025. b0817113-6edc-4219-b638-8060fee037d5_en 

[2] Wintermantel, D. et al. (2026). EU Omnibus proposal increases pesticide risks. Science, 392, 1348–1351. https//:DOI: 10.1126/science.aeg8744.  

[3] Backhaus, T., van den Brink, N.W., van den Brink, P.J., Teppe, K. & Schäfer, R.B. (2026). Periodic reassessment or permanent approval? A critical analysis of the EU Commission’s proposal to reform pesticide and biocide authorisation in Europe. Environmental Sciences Europe, 38, 173. https//:DOI: 10.1186/s12302-026-01514-5. 

[4] Teppe, K. & Backhaus, T. (2026). Simplification and the level of protection—primary law limits and legislative discretion in the Food and Feed Safety Omnibus. Environmental Sciences Europe, 38, 178. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12302-026-01512-7  

 

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