2023 marked a tumultuous year for European environmental activists, witnessing significant setbacks in their long-standing campaigns against pesticides and genetically modified organisms (GMOs). The European Commission’s decision to reauthorise the controversial herbicide glyphosate for another decade, alongside the European Parliament’s rejection of the Sustainable Use Regulation (SUR), dealt a heavy blow to the EU’s Farm2Fork ambitions. Furthermore, the EU’s shift towards deregulating new genomic techniques (NGTs) has sparked a debate on the future of seed breeding, challenging the activists‘ narrative and influence in Brussels.

The activists’ ambitious goals, such as an 80% reduction in pesticide use, have often clashed with practical realities, leading to their proposals being significantly diluted or outright rejected. This gap between aspiration and attainability has been a recurring theme, undermining their efforts to shape policy effectively. Additionally, the lack of a unified stance on NGTs has exposed fissures within the activist community, diluting their influence at a critical juncture as the EU contemplates easing restrictions on gene-edited plants.

The reliance on a limited pool of influential figures and a confrontational approach towards regulatory bodies have further hampered the activists’ campaigns.

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As the EU moves forward, the environmental movement must reassess its strategies, embracing compromise and broadening its alliances to remain a significant force in shaping Europe’s ecological future.

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