Pesticide alarm in Lower Austria: Greens demand immediate measures!

Pesticide alarm in Lower Austria: Greens demand immediate measures!

Niederösterreich, Österreich - In Lower Austria, the pressure on the state government is growing to introduce a central database for the use of pesticides. The Greens in Lower Austria, led by club chairwoman Helga Krismer, have taken the initiative and require extensive transparency about the application of the substances. According to a new Court of Auditors' report, there is a lack of central recording, which could significantly increase the dangers to the environment and health. Krimmer emphasizes: "It cannot be that we do not know where and to what extent pesticides are used with regard to the environment and health. This is a massive failure of the state government!" This requirement is particularly alarming in view of the over 13,000 tons of pesticides that are applied in Austria, as the Global 2000 pesticide data shows.

lack of transparency and rising risks

The Court of Auditors also repeatedly pointed out the need for a nationwide application database for pesticides. The current legal regulations do not seem to be sufficient, since between 2014 and 2021 alone the number of emergency registrations of pesticides increase drastically. Critical voices warn of the insufficient control of the pesticide use and the possible use of prohibited substances. Rumors speak of residues that get into circulation through emergency approvals. The Court of Auditors explains that only 0.6 percent of the companies in Austria were checked in 2020, which raises serious concerns about compliance with regulations.

Political actors are now calling to enable appropriate action in the form of a transparent database in order to contain the abusive use of pesticides and to protect the public from potential health risks. The pressure could soon increase, since from 2026 there is an EU-wide mandatory for digital recording of pesticide uses, which will lead to more extensive reporting obligations in 2028. This presents those responsible in Lower Austria to act accordingly to act accordingly, also in order not to go back to other federal states that have already made progress in this matter, such as reported.