EU pesticide omnibus faces fresh backlash after Commission says safeguards may not be guaranteed

The European Commission's pesticide simplification package is facing fresh backlash after critics said a Commission representative told Dutch lawmakers there was no guarantee the proposal would not weaken health and environmental protections.

The criticism was raised in a PAN Europe press release published on Wednesday. It said the comment was made during a hearing in the Dutch Parliament on the EU's Food and Feed Simplification Package, which includes pesticide-related measures.

The Commission, however, says the proposal does not change the strict approval criteria for active substances and is designed to maintain a high level of protection for human health and the environment.

The row highlights the political tension around the wider simplification push: supporters argue the package would streamline rules, while opponents say it risks lowering standards.

Dutch parliamentary materials and a European Parliament question show the issue is already under active scrutiny in Brussels and The Hague.

The Commission adopted the simplification package in December 2025. Critics now want clarity on whether the pesticide part of the plan can be implemented without weakening existing safeguards.