The EU should invest more in stopping illegal chemicals entering the bloc, set up a centralised force to enforce compliance and boost resources for national authorities, a group of chemicals sector actors has said.

A new study has identified scientific shortcomings in the ongoing evaluation of glyphosate by EU regulators, as the incoming German government coalition commits to a market withdrawal of the insecticide.

Environmental campaigners have warned the European Commission against further delaying plans to restrict the use of microplastics, which keep “flooding into the environment” despite “the existence of safer alternatives”.

The French government has announced tighter rules on agrochemical use as it unveiled plans to establish a ‘red list’ of endangered wild pollinator species and investigate other sources of stress leading to declines in insect populations.

Permitting the use of banned neonicotinoid pesticides in 17 instances across 11 member states countries last year was in all cases justified due to a lack of other ways to protect sugar beet crops, the European Food Safety Authority has concluded following an investigation.