1. European Public Health Alliance
9/13/2018
European Public Health Alliance
A network of 85 non governmental and not-for-profit organisations across Europe working on health and health-related issues
Our mission is to improve the health of European citizens and to increase their participation in EU policy-making
The alliance comprises 85 different organisations from 21 countries in the wider European region. The key criteria for membership of EPHA are to be a non government or not-for-profit organisation and be committed to improving the health status of European citizens.
Amongst our membership there are health advocates, disease specific patient groups, academic researchers, professional associations of doctors, nurses and pharmacists, consumer groups, environment and development organisations.
EPHA Presentation, Stakeholders conference on Pesticides

2. What are the public health issues on pesticides?
9/13/2018
What are the public health issues on pesticides?
Exposure by consumers
Contamination in soil, groundwater and rain
Exposure by farm workers and their families
There are key public health issues related to the ingestion of pesticides or their residue from fruit and vegetables. However some statistics are particularly telling:
DG SANCO’s round-up of tests across Europe in 1999 and 2000 indicated that more than one third of fruit and vegetables tested contained measurable pesticides, and small percentage of this was beyond the approved Maximum residue Level (MRL). Furthermore some fruit and vegetables were contaminated by several pesticides. What this means is that if we extrapolate the results of the survey to the diet of Europeans: of the 5 pieces of fruit and vegetables that people should consume per day, approximately two of them will be contaminated by pesticides.
Studies undertaken by the European Environment Agency (EEA) indicate pesticide residues can be found in up to 75 % of groundwater sources in Europe, many of which are used for drinking water. This costs the water industry large sums to treat the water to remove the residue. Rainwater and soil has also been shown to contain pesticide residues. This further aggravates problems of pesticides in groundwater.
A questionnaire of farm workers shown that about 1 in 5 considered that their health had been affected by pesticides. The problems were mostly linked to proper use of pesticides. This could be addressed by training and information campaign about safe handling and use of pesticides.
EPHA Presentation, Stakeholders conference on Pesticides

3. A healthy diet and pesticides
9/13/2018
A healthy diet and pesticides
Pesticide residue is of concern in the context of healthy diet advice:
Greater consumption of fruit and vegetables, particularly 5-a-day campaign
Greater use of plant based oils for cooking
Good hydration (water, fruit juices)
The relation between health and diet is well established. We know that some 30 % of cancers and cardio-vascular diseases are preventable. The key elements of a health promotion programme will be more physical activity and a more balanced diet which includes a much greater consumption of fruit and vegetables. Current recommendations are for a minimum of 5 portions of fruit and vegetables per day.
DG SANCO’s round-up of pesticide residue tests carried out across Europe in 1999 and 2000 indicated that more than one third of fruit and vegetables tested contained measurable pesticides, and a small percentage of this was beyond the approved Maximum residue Level (MRL). Furthermore some fruit and vegetables were contaminated by several pesticides.
If we extrapolate the results to the diet of Europeans it means that of the 5 pieces of fruit and vegetables that people should consume per day, approximately two of them will be contaminated by pesticides.
Furthermore moving away from animal derived fats is advised and towards the use of plant based oils such olive and sunflower oil in cooking.
Finally there is the importance of being adequately hydrated, moving away from sugary soft drinks and caffeine based drinks which have a diuretic effect. Instead health professionals advocate that people drink more water or fruit juices.
There needs to be a consistency and coherency between the health messages on diet and nutrition and an agricultural and environmental policy that ensures the food that we consume is safe.
EPHA Presentation, Stakeholders conference on Pesticides

4. A major health concern:
9/13/2018
A major health concern:
Exposure of vulnerable populations
Pregnant women
Infants + children
Older people
Patients with compromised immune systems
Particular attention needs to be paid to the most vulnerable community groups (children, pregnant women, older people). In terms exposure as foetuses and children, a specific concern is the impact of highly toxic chemicals which may have a delayed effect, such as to the later development of organs of body functions.
We do know that some pesticides can be extremely damaging to the human organism : for example carcinogenic, mutagenic, reprotoxic or endocrine disrupting . Some of the most dangerous are being taken off the market, but this is not necessarily the end of the story, Data from the UK indicates that DDT is still being found in soil and groundwater samples despite being taken off the market in 1984.
However, we do not have sufficient data about the health impact of the accumulation of different pesticides, the ‘cocktail effect’ . We don’t have adequate data about the different susceptibility to pesticides at different ages nor are the testing protocols sufficient.
EPHA Presentation, Stakeholders conference on Pesticides

5. Elements in an effective pesticides policy
9/13/2018
Elements in an effective pesticides policy
Use of the precautionary principle in setting Maximum Residue Levels (MRL)
Withdrawal from the market of the most toxic chemicals
Ongoing research into health impact of pesticides on adults and children
Reduction in pesticide use and treatment frequency
Effective monitoring and enforcement
EPHA Presentation, Stakeholders conference on Pesticides

6. Specific targets set at European levels for reduction of pesticide use
9/13/2018
Action needed now
Specific targets set at European levels for reduction of pesticide use
Support measures for farmers to adapt, training in good practice
Promotion of non chemical alternatives including organic farming
Data available to the public
Monitoring procedures are not standardized across the EU. However some statistics are particularly telling:
DG SANCO’s round-up of tests across Europe in 1999 and 2000 indicated that more than one third of fruit and vegetables tested contained measurable pesticides, and small percentage of this was beyond the approved Maximum residue Level (MRL). Furthermore some fruit and vegetables were contaminated by several pesticides.
This a totally unacceptable situation. There must be action action taken at European levels to set specific targets for the reduction in use and treatment frequency of pesticides. This needs to be coupled with an effective monitoring process that can track trends in pesticide residue on fruit and vegetable. Experience from Denmark, Sweden and the Netherlands show that it is possible, with the political will and backing, to achieve significant reductions in pesticide exposure and risk. What is required is a commitment to a clear target, although the details of how these targets are implemented and specific measures are properly left to Member State level.
Finally, data about pesticide levels needs to be made public, so that consumers can made informed choices about the food they buy for themselves an their families.
EPHA Presentation, Stakeholders conference on Pesticides

7. European Public Health Alliance
9/13/2018
European Public Health Alliance
33 Rue de Pascale
B-1040 Brussels
Belgium
Tel :
Fax :
EPHA Presentation, Stakeholders conference on Pesticides