The farming lobby is in bed with the pesticide industry – against the interests of farmers themselves

Farmers across Europe are sweating it out in the fields during the second heatwave of the year, struggling to keep food crops alive and watered.

Meanwhile in Brussels, lobbyists pretending to defend those farmers’ interests (Copa-Cogeca) are openly joining forces with pesticide industry lobbyists (Croplife EU).

On Wednesday (15 July) they are hosting a joint event targeting MEPs, in the (doubtless air-conditioned) offices of Copa-Cogeca, followed by the usual cool drinks and networking.

Their goal? To convince MEPs to radically dismantle the existing EU rules on pesticide authorisation and use, rules meant to keep too toxic products off the market.

Yet farmers in the fields are on the frontline of exposure to pesticides, along with their family members and neighbours. Those who apply pesticides get exposed via inhalation and skin. In this way pesticides can directly reach the brain via the blood.