The UK exported 8,500 tonnes of pesticides in 2023 that are banned for use on British farms due to their significant risks to human health and the environment, according to a joint investigation by Unearthed and Public Eye. These exports included a notorious bee-killing insecticide and a weedkiller banned in the UK for its potential harm to nearby residents.
Critics have condemned the practice as “the ultimate hypocrisy,” highlighting the export of dangerous chemicals to countries with weaker regulations. Among the shipments was 374 tonnes of the insecticide thiamethoxam, a banned neonicotinoid responsible for devastating bee populations, which is enough to treat an area larger than England.
Green Party MP Siân Berry called the exports “deeply shocking” and accused the UK government of permitting harmful exploitation. She stated, “Our government cannot continue to allow companies to ship these dangerous pesticides overseas where they can cause significant harm.”
British laws currently allow companies to produce and export banned pesticides as long as they obtain explicit consent from importing nations. However, the investigation revealed that 98% of these exports in 2023 came from one company: Syngenta. The agrochemical giant exported products to 18 countries, including Brazil, the US, and several EU nations. Notably, banned pesticides exported to the EU are often re-exported to other parts of the world.
The investigation also revealed disturbing accounts of pesticide-related injuries. Brazilian farmers exposed to Syngenta’s banned weedkiller diquat reported symptoms such as tremors, paralysis, and permanent eye damage.
A Syngenta spokesperson defended the exports, claiming their products are manufactured in the UK for use in countries with differing agricultural needs. The company emphasized that export decisions are based on risk assessments by national governments.
Environmental and human rights advocates argue that the practice constitutes “modern-day exploitation” with “racialised undertones,” according to UN special rapporteur Marcos Orellana. He stated, “The export of banned pesticides to the global south shows a disregard for the health and lives of people in recipient countries compared to those in producing nations.”
The UK government defended its policies, asserting that it goes “beyond international standards” by requiring importing countries to provide explicit consent under the Prior Informed Consent (PIC) regulation. However, critics argue that this does little to mitigate the environmental and health hazards posed by these chemicals.
Documents obtained from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) show that Syngenta plans to increase exports of banned pesticides in 2024, with over 1,000 tonnes of thiamethoxam set for shipment to countries like Brazil, Russia, and Indonesia.
Environmentalists and campaigners continue to call for an outright ban on the production and export of these hazardous substances. Josie Cohen, head of policy at Pesticide Action Network UK, stated, “If a chemical is deemed too harmful to be used here, it should not be sent around the world to poison farmworkers, wildlife, and ecosystems.”
