Out of 5,233 food samples analysed, coming from both conventional and organic agriculture, a percentage of irregularities of 1.3% emerged.A modest but certainly not reassuring figure. 41.3% of the samplesin fact, presents traces of one or more pesticide residues. Of these, 14.9% is classified as monoresidue, while 26.3% fall into the multi-residue categoryraising significant concerns. In fact, the presence of multiple residues in a single food can generate additive and synergistic effects, with potential damage to human health.
Fruit stands out among the most affected foods, with 74.1% of samples contaminated by one or more residues. This is followed by vegetables (34.4%) and processed products (29.6%), with peppers (59.5%), followed by whole grains (57.1%) and wine (46.2%).The use of insecticides and fungicides, such as Acetamiprid,Boscalid, FludioxonilAnd Imazalilremains prevalent, highlighting how crop protection is still strongly linked to synthetic chemical substances. It is important to underline the case ofImazalilwhose MRL in 2019, after being classified as a probable carcinogen by the EPA (United States of America Environmental Protection Agency), was lowered to 0.01 mg/kg in bananas and to 4 mg/kg for lemons while for oranges and other citrus fruits, it remained at 5 mg/kg. but with the obligation to write “non-edible peel” on the label. Other findings are emblematic: a sample of chili peppers showed the presence of 18 different residues, while in two samples of peaches 13 and 8 residues were detected respectively.
Yet there is no shortage of encouraging signs. In the processed products sector, extra virgin olive oil stands out with very high percentages of residue-free samplesconfirming its excellence and the production rigor that characterizes this supply chain.Wine also shows a positive trend: 53.1% of the samples analyzed were free of residuesmarking an improvement compared to the previous year’s 48.8%. Small but important steps forward towards greater sustainability and quality. Despite this, the deterioration recorded in the fruit sector in 2023 tells another story. The climatic conditions, marked by abundant rainfall and mild temperatures, have favored the proliferation of mycopathologies, forcing farmers to massively use fungicides to save their crops.
Other data the one on the seizures of illegal pesticides is alarming. Illegal pesticides seized in Europe will almost double in 2023: 2,040 tonsof illegal poisons intercepted by Europol thanks to the “Silver Axe” operation, developed in Italy by the Forestry Carabinieri. The escalation compared to the first operation carried out in 2015 is impressive, when the seizures of pesticides banned in Europe due to their danger to health amounted to 190 tonnes. China remains the main country of origin of these products but investigations are revealing important trafficking from Türkiye.
This, in short, is the photograph he takes Legambiente with the new edition of the dossier “Stop pesticides on your plate”in collaboration with Alce Nero. Presented this morning in Rome, the dossier is a fundamental point of reference for understanding the impact of synthetic chemical substances on food, through an analysis of the data provided by the Regions and specialized bodies, enriched by scientific contributions from experts committed to protecting biodiversity and reducing environmental impact. On this occasion Legambiente once again reiterated theappeal to reduce the use of pesticidesno longer just a desirable objective, but a necessary condition to safeguard the environment, human health and the quality of production. Remembering that agroecology is the only way to protect ecosystems and combat the consequences of climate change. Good practices such as rotations, green manures, intercropping, combined with the use of digital tools and innovative techniques, can offer a more sustainable model for the future of the sector. On the other hand, decisions such as the European one to renew the authorization of Glyphosate for another ten years represent significant obstacles to the ecological transition, especially considering the now proven effectiveness of sustainable alternatives from both an agronomic and economic point of view, such as pelargonic acid.
“The picture that emerges from the data is worrying – he declared Stefano Ciafani, president of Legambiente–but at the same time it represents an opportunity to reconsider our agricultural model. The failure to adopt both the European Regulation on the sustainable use of pesticides (SUR) and a new National Action Plan (NAP), stuck at the 2014 version, is a unacceptable brake on the transition process towards safer and more sustainable agriculture. It is also urgent introduce a rule that regulates multi-residueto limit the accumulation of multiple pesticides in a single food product, with the risk of harmful effects on human health. Even the National Strategic Plan (NSP) for the implementation of the CAP, although presenting some positive signals, is not yet offering the desired results. Almost a year after its implementation, difficulties are emerging that slow down its effectiveness, especially with respect to the reduction in the impacts of intensive agriculture and livestock farming. However, the steps towards sustainable agricultural practices are appreciable, starting from the introduction of eco-schemes for the protection of pollinators and investments in organic farming, which are fundamental for increasing the Used Agricultural Surface (UAA) and encouraging the creation of biodistricts. However, more needs to be done, especially to support small and medium-sized agricultural businesses, ensure fair access to resources and promote intelligent use of European funds, to encourage the transition towards increasingly healthy, sustainable and decarbonised food production.”
“The presentation of the dossier“Stop Pesticides on your plate” is an opportunity to reflect also in Calabria, above healthier, fairer and more environmentally and health-friendly food systems human”, underlines Anna Parretta, president of Legambiente Calabria:“Organic agriculture – he says – constitutes an answer both from the point of view of protecting natural resources and biodiversity and for its greater ability to adapt to the negative effects of climate change. Calabria ranks among the top in terms of surface area dedicated to organic production with the particularity that most Calabrian organic products are sold outside the region. Greater awareness is needed on the importance of nutrition coming from controlled and possibly local organic supply chains.” “Calabria – continues Parretta –should focus on agroecology which is also capable of safeguarding a hydrogeologically unstable territory such as the regional one and should develop strategies to enhance and increase the production of its organic products as well as improving distribution and trade mechanisms that encourage quality work”.
Angelo Gentili, Agriculture manager of Legambienteadded: “One of the responses to the alarm regarding the use of pesticides and the need to reduce the environmental impact of agriculture is certainly organic farming, which represents a virtuous model of ecological transition for production chains. Just think that the residues in organic products there are very few (7% of the samples analyzed) and presumably due to accidental contamination. Italy continues to be a European leader with 2.5 million hectares of organic cultivation, equal to 19.8% of the agricultural surface. Used (UAA). However, to encourage greater growth in this sector and bridge the gap between supply and demand, it is essential to introduce tools that facilitate consumers (bonuses for the most vulnerable categories, organic canteens in hospitals, schools and universities) and reduce costs for producers, starting from certification, promoting access to sustainable agricultural practices. In addition to this, the other crucial proposal concerns the approval of a law against agromafias, which constitute a direct threat to legality and safety. supply chain security agri-food, fueling phenomena such as the use of illegal pesticides, gangmastering and environmental crimes. The protection of agricultural work and the protection of the environment must be a priority to build a healthier, more sustainable and just future.”
The dossier is available and can be consulted in full on the website agricoltura.legambiente.it. To encourage inclusion, the document is also accessible in a listenable version. Furthermore, it is possible to watch the live broadcast of the presentation event on the site and on the channel YouTube of Legambiente Agriculture. The event was coordinated and moderated by Francesco Loiaconodirector of The New Ecologyand saw the introduction of Angelo Gentiliresponsible for Legambiente agriculture, and the participation of: Carlotta PrioreLegambiente agriculture ecotoxicologist; Marco Santoricouncilor Alce Nero; Dario NardellaMEP and member of the Agriculture and Rural Development Commission; Luca De Carlopresident of the Agriculture Commission of the Senate of the Republic; Francesco Battistonivice-president of the Environment Commission of the Chamber of Deputies; Stefano VaccariAgriculture Commission of the Chamber of Deputies; Barbara Nappinipresident of Slow Food; Maria Grazia Mammuccinipresident of Federbio; Carlo Jacominiand Emanuela Paceof ISPRA; Tommaso Campanidepartment of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences of the University of Siena; Antoine Lambertpresident of the Phyto Victimes association; Enrico Fontanahead of the National Environment and Legality Observatory of Legambiente. The event concluded with the speech of Stefano Ciafaninational president of Legambiente.