Nicosia: A conference on "Preventing Pesticide Effects on Children's Health and Protecting the Environment" was held in Nicosia as Cyprus holds the rotating EU Council Presidency. EU officials, scientists, and national authorities emphasized that reducing children's exposure requires correct use of plant protection products, science-based rules, and practical alternatives that work on farms and in everyday life.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the high-level conference took place at the Main Library Amphitheater of the University of Cyprus. It was organized by the Cyprus International Institute for Environmental and Public Health (CII), Cyprus University of Technology, in cooperation with Pesticide Action Network (PAN) Europe.
Addressing the conference on behalf of Agriculture Minister Maria Panayiotou, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development, and Environment, Andreas A. Gregoriou, stated that plant protection products (PPPs) remain important for food security. He stressed the parallel duty to protect public health and the environment, highlighting the importance of correct use, training for professional users, and a legal framework for safe application.
Gregoriou pointed out that the implementation of such measures is the responsibility of all stakeholders. He referred to Cyprus' national action plan on the sustainable use of PPPs, which aims to reduce risks and impacts on health, animals, and the environment through public information and awareness, protective measures for vulnerable groups, and the availability of non-chemical options.
In the first thematic session, Klaus Berend, Director for Food Safety, Sustainability, and Innovation at the European Commission's DG SANTE, discussed the Commission's proposal to streamline EU regulation and improve competitiveness, including within the food and feed system. He highlighted objectives such as faster market access for innovation, particularly biocontrol substances and products as alternatives to chemical pesticides.
Angeliki Lysimachou, Head of Science and Policy at PAN Europe, challenged the direction of the proposal, emphasizing the need for the precautionary principle and independent evaluation using the latest science. She raised concerns about broader derogations and longer grace periods for products after non-renewal, which could prolong exposure.
In the second session, Konstantinos C. Makris from the Cyprus International Institute for Environmental and Public Health presented findings on pesticide exposure in household dust, indicating that children's exposure is not only dietary. Speakers emphasized that mixture exposure complicates risk assessment and reinforces the need to focus on real-world exposure routes.
Meanwhile, discussions led by Nicos Middleton from the Cyprus University of Technology and Souzana Achilleos from University of Nicosia highlighted the need for practical support and access to non-chemical alternatives to reduce pesticide use. They noted that system-level constraints such as market pressures and institutional settings shape farmers' capability to adopt new practices.
In the third thematic session, speakers presented examples of sustainable plant protection and the benefits of organic farming. Herodotos Herodotou from the Cyprus Ministry of Health presented case studies on pesticides in foods, emphasizing the importance of surveillance and evidence in consumer protection.
The conference concluded with a consensus that protecting children and the environment requires robust science, rules that maintain high protection, and practical alternatives supported by cooperation and credible implementation.