EU Commission to cut pesticides by half in 2030

Capao Bonito, Sao Paulo, Brazil, December 18, 2009. Farmer with manual pesticide sprayer on cabbage field in Sao Paulo state

The European Union's executive arm yesterday proposed setting legally binding targets to reduce the use of chemical pesticides by 50 per cent in 2030 and a ban on all pesticide use in areas such as public parks, playgrounds and schools.

The European Commission said the rules limiting the use of pesticides were too weak and have not been applied consistently across the EU.