EU wants drones to spray pesticides — but it could backfire
The EU wants to lift a decades-old ban on spraying pesticides from the air, allowing drones to be used for greater precision. But experts warn the plan could lead to even more pesticides being used in agriculture.
The European Union's Omnibus X legislative package aims to simplify food and feed safety rules by allowing drones to spray pesticides more precisely, instead of using tractors to cover large areas. This could reduce pesticide use by up to 50% by 2030, according to EU goals. However, the plan could backfire, as it could lead to increased overall pesticide use due to the flexibility and ease of treatment provided by drones.
Critics argue that the package is a deregulation measure that could allow harmful pesticides to remain on the market indefinitely, undermining efforts to reduce their use and potential harm to human health and the environment.
Written by urgent.news from DW News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
