Twelve unstable pesticides, known to break down into potentially carcinogenic metabolites, have been given a favourable opinion by EFSA despite positive cancer risk tests and in defiance of the Pesticides Regulation (EC 1107/2009), according to a report by the NGO network PAN Europe published on Monday 7 June.
This is due to a lack of risk assessment (see EUROPE 12471/22) and is influenced by committees that define how assessments should be carried out. The report shows that the working groups include many experts representing ILSI, an institute financed and run by large corporations such as BASF, Monsanto and Syngenta.
The metabolites include hydrazine, a class 1 carcinogen found in the pesticide maleic hydrazide, which is used on onions, potatoes, carrots and as a general herbicide. Another is aniline, a category 2 mutagen and carcinogen found in the insecticide buprofezin, which is used on flowers.
“Our report shows that the safety of these twelve pesticides has not been demonstrated. This means that food and feed are being contaminated with substances that present an unacceptably high risk of serious health effects. EFSA is supposed to be a neutral actor, relying on the latest scientific research to best assess the risks and protect us from the dangers”, commented Martin Dermine from PAN Europe.
See the report: https://bit.ly/3cmOGdw (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)