Pesticide Action Week (PAW) is an annual event created in 2005 by Générations Futures, a French NGO. It takes place from March 20 – 30 to promote more environmentally and human health-friendly agricultural practices, these dates are not coincidental; they coincide with the first days of spring and also mark the beginning of pesticide spraying in agricultural fields.

Pesticide Action Week is a powerful force for awareness-raising and action for a pesticide-free Europe. Every year, hundreds of citizens, associations, farmers, companies, teachers, local governments organise a wide range of events: conferences, film screenings, theater shows, open door days, organic cooking classes, exhibitions, workshops, information booths, farmer markets, community organic meals, etc. The public is invited to get better informed about the health and environmental challenges caused by pesticides and learn more about alternatives by taking part in one of the hundreds of organised activities. Through PAN Europe’s involvement, this movement is now reaching beyond France to other European countries. PAN Europe has been assisting organisations from Central and Eastern Europe.

The 2024 theme is Health. Our health is precious, yet due to the ubiquitous contamination of our environment (water, air, soil, food) with synthetic pesticides, we are exposed on a daily basis to the harmful health effects of these substances. Whether through professional or environmental exposure, we are all affected. This year, PAW partners and (our) team have decided to emphasize the health implications of the pesticide issue to highlight the urgency of moving away from the dominant agricultural model.

PAN Europe

Extinction Rebellion protesteert naakt tegen gifgebruik in bollenteelt bij het openingsjubileum van de Keukenhof