We need to anchor all measures, including bans and incentives, in scientific findings. Independent research should therefore be conducted on:

• The effects of pesticides on all pollinators and other wild animals.

• The combined effects of multiple substances (‘cocktail effects’).

• Long-term and non-lethal effects.

A second pillar of research should focus on ecological alternatives to pesticides that are not environmentally harmful. Their effectiveness needs to be assessed in order to determine whether they are viable for farmers. Pesticide companies should be given sufficient time to transition their production in accordance with the timeline for the near-complete elimination of pesticides.

We also need to ensure that each Member State is conducting sufficient local research, and that this process is steered by the EU rather than by private companies producing pesticides and having an interest in their approval.

Political actors must take research findings into account and ensure that they have a concrete effect in practice.

The EU should support and coordinate independent research by setting guidelines for Member States and commissioning studies through institutions such as the European Food Safety Authority. Research must remain strictly independent from industry influence, with a clear separation between pesticide companies and research institutions.