HEAL considers that a focus on reducing administrative cost and burden to businesses is a shortsighted and narrow perspective, disregarding the significant costs to people's health and the need for strengthened resilience of the natural environment in view of pollution, climate change and biodiversity loss.
On 12 November 2026, the European Parliament adopted a resolution on the implementation of Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan with a strong majority (447/66/91). The text confirmed what was adopted by the SANT committee in October (A10-0261/2026).
As reaffirmed by the newly adopted resolution, 40% of cancers are preventable if effective measures are implemented. Environmental risk factors, and pollution in particular, are estimated to account for 10% of the cancer cases in Europe.
To decrease this disease burden, HEAL considers that the EU has to firmly address environmental and occupational factors as key modifiable determinants of cancer risk.
HEAL welcomes the European Parliament recognition of environmental risk factors, including air pollutants and exposure to harmful substances, such as endocrine disruptors and PFAS, together with the conditions in which people live and work, as important determinants of cancer. We also welcome the call for ‘reinforced and evidence-based’ action on pollution prevention and the emphasis on an ‘all policies’ approach for effective cancer control, ensuring alignment across relevant EU frameworks.
The EU has to ensure that its commitment to beat cancer is reflected consistently across all its policies. Addressing the root causes of environmental cancer risks requires ambitious and coherent policy action. The effective implementation of Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan should ensure full alignment with the objectives set out under the Zero Pollution Action Plan and the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability. Europe cannot pursue a cancer-free future while compromising the environmental protections that help make that goal possible.
But the European Commission’s growing simplification and deregulation agenda raises serious concerns for public health, including cancer prevention. Efforts to cut administrative and industry burden in environmental legislation risk weakening essential instruments that protect people against pollution, climate change and biodiversity loss, exposure to hazardous chemicals and pesticides, placing everyone’s health at risk.
HEAL therefore urges MEPs to follow through on their emphasis on environmental prevention in the upcoming votes on the Food and Feed Safety Simplification omnibus and uphold existing health protective requirements. More information
