EU Must Stop Banned Chemicals Being Sold to Africa, Judges Urge MEPs

Speaking to the European Parliament’s human rights committee, these judges argued that allowing chemicals banned in Europe to be exported to Africa, Asia, and Latin America creates a double standard that endangers health in those regions. Their recommendations also called on South Africa to overhaul its outdated pesticide regulations, phase out highly hazardous chemicals, and improve safety protections for farm workers.

The issue has gained urgency following several high-profile incidents, including the deaths of six children in Johannesburg in 2024 linked to exposure to the toxic pesticide Terbufos. Although South Africa has since banned Terbufos, many other hazardous chemicals – some produced in the EU and US – continue to be exported to African countries despite being prohibited in Europe. Similar concerns have been raised in Kenya, where reports link pesticide exposure to rising cancer rates and farm worker deaths, and where a major legal case is underway targeting multinational agrochemical companies.

The EU exports over 120,000 tons of banned pesticides annually. However, this creates a regulatory contradiction as the bloc also imports large quantities of agricultural products from countries using these chemicals – thus leading to increased border rejections in Europe due to residue contamination. As a result, for example, Kenyan exports to Europe reportedly fell sharply last year following a rise in intercepts and seizures. While the European Commission – Europe’s unelected executive body – is said to be considering a potential export ban, progress has been slow, with many pointing to industry lobbying as a key obstacle.

To read how chemicals in tap water are causing thousands of cancer deaths across Europe, see this news story on our website.