For inspiration on plastics and the use in Agriculture/Food, consider two points, also relevant for the FARM community:

1. Concentrations of food contact chemicals (which enter the food web through chemical leaching from for example single use plastic packaging of foods) that have leached into food are generally at least 100 times higher than concentrations of pesticide residues.

2. While fewer than 1,000 pesticides are in commercial use and chemical-analytical methods are available for all of them and their main metabolites, plastics contain more than 16,000 chemicals, most of which remain insufficiently studied for their health and broader environmental impacts.

Reference: Impacts of food contact chemicals on human health: a consensus statement (Muncke et al., 2020). There is more recent research avalable as is this an emerging field in research.

Funding opportunity for the reduction of agrochemicals and waste !

Launch of the second round of the Global Framework on Chemicals Fund (deadline: 15 December 2025)

Dear FARM colleagues,
we would greatly appreciate if you could share the call for applications under the second round of the Global Framework on Chemicals with your networks:

The Global Framework on Chemicals (GFC) Fund is about to launch its second call for project proposals to support low- and middle-income countries in addressing the urgent risks posed by hazardous chemicals and waste.
Grants ranging from $300,000 to $800,000 are available for projects up to three years in duration. A new two-stage application process begins with a short concept note. Shortlisted applicants will then be invited to submit a full proposal.
This round places greater focus on sustainability, multisectoral collaboration, and the potential to scale or replicate results. Civil society applications must include endorsement from the relevant national authority.
Join the webinars for applicants next Tuesday and Wednesday: https://www.unep.org/events/online-event/global-framework-chemicals-fun…

🔗 Learn more and apply: https://www.unep.org/global-framework-chemicals/gfc-fund

🗓️ Concept note deadline: 15 December 2025

The Uk drops green taxonomy to focus on transition finance: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/uk-green-taxonomy

"the government has concluded that a UK Taxonomy would not be the most effective tool to deliver the green transition"

"Many respondents in this sector made the point that a UK Taxonomy, in
itself, is not a policy lever that changes the risk profile or improves the
scalability or viability of projects. These respondents viewed a UK
Taxonomy as a classification tool that could serve as an additional data
point among various factors considered when making investment
decisions. However, it was unlikely to have a material impact on final
investment decisions."

"This was supported by nearly a third of respondents who stated
that other factors would be more influential in establishing the
economic conditions to support investment decisions and cost of
capital. Other factors put forward by respondents included sector
specific roadmaps outlining future government decarbonisation
policies, transition plans, the forthcoming UK SRS, and decisions on
future regulation, grant schemes, or taxation changes — all of which
were viewed as more impactful. "

- read more of the specific reasons for not advancing the UK Green Taxonomy and how alternative approaches were deemed more appropriate.

IBMA, COPA and COGECA is hosting a discussion on the Roadmap of "Biocontrol as a Wider Part of Farmers’ Toolbox - and the Future of Sustainable Agriculture in the EU"
  
This event will outline key priorities and actions to better integrate biocontrol plant protection products (PPPs) into Integrated Pest Management (IPM) across all agricultural systems over the next five years.

The goal is to better integrate Integrated Pest Management (IPM) into all agricultural systems over the next 5 years, offering farmers more sustainable and effective crop protection options.

Click on the link below to register for the event.

🚨Seeking expert views🚨: What are good practices for customs officers or relevant officials in disposing of and handling illegal HHPs entering a country?

If you could share any references, reports, or case studies that illustrate this, it would be greatly appreciated.

Posting on behalf of a colleague looking for relevant best practices. Thanks!

Piloting the use of 'food sprays', a nature-based solution to reduce reliance on pesticides. Does anyone here have a similar experience in their work?

Photo: PAN UK