The EU plans to impose new restrictions on imported food treated with pesticides banned in the bloc.
This move addresses European farmers’ concerns about unfair competition, as they must comply with stricter regulations while imports often do not.
The European Commission plans to introduce a rule preventing the reentry of hazardous pesticides banned in the EU through imported products, according to a draft document set for release on Wednesday.
Over the past year, EU farmers have protested against the rising burden of the bloc’s climate and environmental rules.
They also oppose a trade deal with the Mercosur bloc—Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, and Paraguay—due to its lower regulatory standards.
The new EU plan could spark opposition from President Donald Trump, who has often accused the bloc of unfair trade practices.
Last week, his administration called for reciprocal tariffs on U.S. trading partners, citing non-tariff barriers like EU regulations as a concern.
The EU has banned a limited number of hazardous pesticides over health and environmental concerns.
The commission will assess toxic pesticide use on a case-by-case basis rather than imposing blanket bans, considering market conditions and the country of origin, an EU official said.
To evaluate the impact on the EU’s competitiveness and global trade compliance, it plans to conduct an impact assessment this year.
