Parkinson’s Ireland Calls for Stronger Pesticide Protections

The European Parliament is currently considering a proposal that would significantly change how pesticides are regulated across the EU. While the European Commission has presented the proposal as a simplification of existing rules, Parkinson’s organisations across Europe are concerned that it could weaken important public health protections.

Among the proposed changes are measures that would allow some pesticides to remain authorised indefinitely, reduce the frequency of safety reviews, and limit the scientific evidence that can be considered when assessing potential health risks.

Given growing concerns about links between pesticide exposure and Parkinson’s disease, we believe these changes could make it more difficult to identify and respond to emerging risks in the future. To ensure the voice of the Parkinson’s community is heard, Parkinson’s Ireland has written to all 14 Irish Members of the European Parliament, as well as the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Minister of State for European Affairs.

We have urged them to support amendments that maintain regular reassessment of pesticides, protect the precautionary principle, ensure human health remains at the centre of decision-making, and guarantee that the latest scientific evidence can always be considered when evaluating the safety of plant protection products.

We will continue to work with Parkinson’s Europe and our partners across the EU to advocate for policies that prioritise prevention and protect the neurological health of current and future generations.