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This letter was sent to members of the European Parliament Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Committee on 22 November 2018.

Dear Member of European Parliament,

Next Monday 26 November, you will exchange views on the extension of chlorpyrifos with the European Commission and fellow members of the Environment Committee. Over 147,190 EU citizens are asking you to ban this pesticide, which has serious negative effects on our health.   

Chlorpyrifos is one of the most commonly used pesticides in Europe and its residues are often present in fruits, vegetables, cereals and dairy products, as well as drinking water. It is linked to the disruption of the hormonal system and effects on the developing human brain – which is one of the criteria for not approving pesticides under EU law (Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 Annex II, 3.8.2.). Studies show how children exposed to chlorpyrifos in the womb or in early life may suffer from neurodevelopmental effects later in life, like attention deficit disorders (ADHD) and autism.

Evidence that the entire class of pesticides to which chlorpyrifos belongs threatens the health of children and pregnant women is now so arresting that scientists warn the substances should be banned completely. Moreover, a scientific publication released last week finds that industry-funded studies had drawn biased and unscientific conclusions on the neurodevelopmental toxicity of chlorpyrifos.

The current EU approval of chlorpyrifos was supposed to end on 31 January 2019. However the assessment of the renewal application is being delayed, and the approval has just been extended recently for another year.

In view of the above, the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) is urging you to protect our health and ask for an immediate ban on chlorpyrifos in the EU.

With kind regards,

Génon K. Jensen,

Executive Director, Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL)

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