EU Omnibus proposal increases pesticide risks. More efficient environmental risk assessment and stronger protection are achievable

The European Union (EU) has one of the most comprehensive systems for risk assessment of pesticides. However, pesticides continue to cause ecological damage and pose risks to human health (1). Additionally, regulatory assessments are often delayed, slowing the market entry of new substances (2). To address such delays and simplify procedures and requirements for pesticide marketing, the European Commission proposed an “Omnibus Simplification package” on food and feed safety on 16 December 2025. Here, we explain how implementing the Omnibus package would amplify rather than resolve shortcomings of current environmental risk assessment. This would jeopardize the Omnibus’s goal to maintain high standards for the protection of human and environmental health, as well as the EU’s long-term environmental objectives and international commitments to restore ecosystems. We provide actionable recommendations for improving environmental risk assessment for stronger biodiversity protection while limiting regulatory burden.