Thousands of French Medical Experts Warn Against EU Pesticide Deregulation

Nearly 2,300 doctors, healthcare workers, and scientists from France have issued a strong warning to parliamentarians and the French government about the risk of deregulating pesticides in Europe. The concern centers on a legislative proposal by European Health Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi known as the Omnibus legislative package, aimed at streamlining pesticide approval processes across the EU. Specifically, the proposal would allow pesticides to be approved indefinitely on the EU single market, a move that critics say undermines three decades of progress in pesticide regulation.

In an open letter dated December 8, 2025, addressed to French and European lawmakers, the professionals—including noted experts such as Francelyne Marano of Paris Cité University and CNRS toxicologist Jean-Marc Bonmatin—expressed their alarm at the political support for this deregulation, which they attribute to pressure from agro-industrial interests. They emphasize the potential threat this poses to public health and environmental safety.

The letter urgently requests a meeting with French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu to discuss their concerns. The signatories underscore the risk that this regulatory rollback could lead to unchecked pesticide use with long-term harmful effects. This development has significant implications for France, given its active role in EU pesticide policy discussions and its own national priorities on health and environmental protection.