CABI launches global partnership for pesticide risk reduction

CABI is an international not-for-profit organization that improves people’s lives by providing information and applying scientific expertise to solve problems in agriculture and the environment

The new CABI-led initiative brings together international partners to reduce reliance on highly hazardous pesticides through policy reform, research and the adoption of lower-risk crop protection solutions

Horticulture

30 July 2026

CABI and its partners has recently launched the “Global Partnership for Pesticide Risk Reduction”, bringing together leading stakeholders from the public and private sector to advance a shared commitment to address pesticide risks worldwide.

“Reducing pesticide risks is an urgent global issue and coordinated action can deliver positive results. No single country or organization can address the issue alone – it requires collaboration across the food value chain,” CABI’s chief scientist, Dr Ulrich Kuhlmann, said.

He added: “CABI is convening this global partnership, bringing its expertise in pesticide risk reduction and sustainable pest management, to offer concrete solutions. If we act together now, we can create safer, sustainable food systems where human health and the environment are protected.”

While synthetic pesticides have contributed significantly to protecting crop yields, growing evidence shows some ingredients pose risks to human and animal health, the environment, and its biodiversity.

Many of these ingredients are also prohibited in high-value export markets, creating additional challenges for exporting countries.

CABI’s “Global Partnership on Pesticide Risk Reduction” aims to address this issue, strengthening coordinated partnership and mitigating risks through a concerted, international action.

Over the past two decades, a growing evidence base has highlighted risks associated with pesticides. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reports a 71% increase in pesticide use between 2000 and 2023.

Climate change is impacting pest behaviour and populations, increasing the risks of pests spreading into new regions. Invasive species now cost the global economy over USD 423 billion every year, increasing pressure on value chains globally. Plant diseases cost more than USD 220 billion annually.

While pesticides play an important role in pest management, in some low- and middle-income countries, many synthetic products allowed for use are now classed as highly hazardous pesticides, and in one country, comprise of almost 70% of products registered.

The toxicity of these ingredients is well documented, with evidence showing that a small number of highly hazardous pesticides can be responsible for 80% of acute and chronic poisonings reported by farmers.

CABI’s “Global Partnership on Pesticide Risk Reduction” represents a major effort to reduce the impact of pesticides and transition agriculture to more sustainable practices. Reducing pesticide risk necessitates integrated action across the food system, through:

policy – enabling availability of lower risk plant protection products by improving policies and tackling regulatory barriers
research – generating evidence and developing practical solutions, including integrated pest management (IPM) and bioprotection, which support pesticide risk reduction
production – equipping value chain actors with the knowledge and capacity to adopt affordable, locally effective lower risk options, and improving the quality and availability of bioprotection products.