European agricultural pest management practices following the Green Deal – gaps and challenges

Abstract

The European Green Deal, the main aim of which is to substantially change the agricultural production systems through the Farm to Fork (F2F) Strategy, has caused the most significant reconsideration of pest management in the European Union (EU) in a generation. Since 2020, several regulatory and policy measures have affected pest management decisions, including revised risk assessment procedures for plant protection products, restrictions on certain emergency derogations, updated rules facilitating microbial biological control agents, and the integration of IPM (Integrated Pest Management)-related measures into the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) eco-schemes. At the same time, implementation has been challenging. The proposed Sustainable Use Regulation (SUR), which aimed to introduce binding pesticide reduction targets and additional restrictions in sensitive areas, was withdrawn in 2024 following political disagreement within the EU Commission and concerns regarding implementation feasibility. As a result, pesticide governance remains primarily based on the Sustainable Use Directive (SUD), national action plans, and CAP-supported measures. This mini review synthesizes the post Green Deal policy timeline, identifies regulatory factors that directly affect farmers’ pest management choices, examines emerging quantitative trends, and discusses practical implications for industry, advisory systems, and growers. Particular attention is given to the opportunities and limitations of Harmonized Risk Indicators (HRIs) – notably their sales-based nature and limited capacity to reflect actual ecological exposure, alongside uneven IPM implementation among Member States and emerging climate-driven pest pressures.