18/12/2024 (Agence Europe) – The European Ombudsman, Emily O'Reilly, took the view that the European Commission should ensure that it invites “all relevant stakeholders in the pesticide sector”, as its work has a “direct impact on health and the environment”. The European Ombudsman has therefore closed a complaint lodged by PAN Europe (Pesticide Action Network) which was started in August 2024. The NGO network had criticised the European Commission for only inviting industry representatives to a workshop on pesticides. PAN Europe were of the opinion that the European Commission had tended to favour industry in its actions on pesticides in recent years. The European Ombudsman also suggests that, at the end of her enquiry, the Commission should set up a specific web page where it can publish information and documents on all its actions relating to pesticides. (FS)