Dear Commissioner Andriukaitis,
It must be no news for you to hear that the incidences of endocrine-related diseases such as breast and prostate cancer keep on rising in all EU member states[1]. You will also be aware that many pesticides are linked to endocrine adverse effects. Just to mention an example for only one endocrine target: 69 of the EU approved pesticides cause a decrease of thyroid hormone levels; a further 56 cause an increase of relative thyroid weight[2]. Given the urgency to act, it is a surprise to us that your DG did not propose to put an end to the market access of endocrine disrupting pesticides yet. Regulation 1107/2009 has been in place for 6 years now and we are very disappointed about the implementation by your DG, not only on endocrine disrupting pesticides but on other issues as well. Nothing has changed so far to start banning harmful pesticides and to start introducing sustainable practices (IPM, integrated pest management) while the use of pesticides is increasing in most member states and the number of approved pesticides has more than doubled since 2009.