Youth survey: change wanted Pesticide Atlas 2022 Young people in Germany are worried about pesticide use in agriculture and call on politicians to take action. They demand more emphasis on ecological management of fields and plead for stronger support for farmers. By Dr. Anke Zühlsdorf , Dr. Dominic Lemken and Prof. Dr. Achim Spiller
Gender: at the forefront of the exposure Pesticide Atlas 2022 Women working in agriculture often have lower levels of income and lack decision-making power. There is urgent need for gender equality to achieve food security and protection from pesticide exposure. By Ilang-Ilang Quijano
Glyphosate: a manufactured controversy Pesticide Atlas 2022 Bayer and other companies are fighting for the re-approval of glyphosate in the EU. To do so, they must prove that their pesticide active substance is not carcinogenic. But the studies presented are old – and point to the opposite. By Helmut Butscher-Schaden
Imports and exports: banned but sold anyway Pesticide Atlas 2022 Many pesticides are banned in the European Union. It is illegal to use them in EU Member States, yet it is allowed to produce and export them to third countries – where they pose great risks to people and their environment. By Dr. Silke Bollmohr and Susan Haffmans
Smallholder farmers: new markets, less regulation Pesticide Atlas 2022 In Africa, fewer pesticides are used than in other regions of the world. Nevertheless the 33 million smallholders are increasingly becoming the focus of pesticide companies. There they also sell what has been banned in the European Union. By Layla Liebetrau
Genetic engineering: modified crops, more pesticides Pesticide Atlas 2022 Genetically modified crops were supposed to reduce the use of chemicals in agriculture, reduce workloads, and increase crop yields. These promises could not be kept. By Martha Mertens
Hardly hazardous pesticides: a global human rights concern Pesticide Atlas 2022 Substances that are proven to present a particularly high level of acute or chronic risk to health or the environment are commonly referred to as Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs). Far too rarely are these substances withdrawn from circulation – especially in the Global South they cause great harm. By Dr. Silke Bollmohr and Susan Haffmans
Insect decline: an ecological armaggedon Pesticide Atlas 2022 Insects provide pollination services to flowering plants, control pests and ensure abundant harvests. For a long time their populations have declined dramatically – causing disaster for humans and nature. Pesticides are considered a major reason for the decline. By Dave Goulson
Long-range transport: gone with the wind Pesticide Atlas 2022 Pesticides rarely stay in the place where they have been applied. Wind can move dust, particles, and droplets to residential areas close to agricultural land – or carry it to places many kilometres away. Approval processes are largely ignoring this problem. By Johanna Bär , Johannes Heimrath and Anna Satzger
Water: go with the flow Pesticide Atlas 2022 Studies regularly reveal how pesticides contaminate rivers, lakes, coastal waters and groundwater. The pollutants often originate in agriculture and enter surface water via infiltration, surface runoff and drift. By Dr. Silke Bollmohr