Costa Rica Moves to Ban Highly Hazardous Pesticides

Costa Rica's legislature is advancing a proposal to ban pesticides considered highly hazardous by global health agencies, aiming to align national policies with international environmental and public health standards. Introduced by independent lawmaker Kattia Cambronero, the bill targets chemicals linked to cancer, genetic mutations, and reproductive harm. If passed, it would mandate biannual updates to the country’s banned pesticide list and allocate 25% of specific agrochemical tax revenue to research safer, sustainable alternatives. Costa Rica currently ranks among the highest global users of pesticides per hectare, with eight of the ten most commonly used falling into the hazardous category. The proposed legislation reflects increasing concern over the human and ecological risks posed by intensive chemical agriculture. It also follows recommendations from organizations like the WHO and FAO, emphasizing prevention, education, and the transition to less toxic farming methods. Advocates see this as a key step toward safeguarding health, biodiversity, and long-term agricultural resilience.

12-05-2025