EU executive bans three widely used pesticides

National governments will have to withdraw from the market pesticides containing three common but hazardous active ingredients, following a long-delayed decision by the European Commission.

The three products – diquat, thiram and pymetrozine – which have been on the market for years will have to be withdrawn within months.

The European Commission exercised its right not to renew authorisation for the compounds after government delegates repeatedly failed to muster a majority for or against.