European Union institutions have slowed down the publication of two important environmental policy documents – regarding environmental restoration and pesticides. The ostensible reason for this action is clear – the impact of the war started by Russia on food production and supply security is not precisely known or understood.

This move by EU institutions has alarmed various environmental activist groups, who, in turn, feel that the EU and powerful agricultural industry lobbies are using the war as a pretext to delay the drafting of legislation and documents, instead of adapting their work and management to the interests of European consumers and citizens. As is well known, the plant protection products industry had a turnover of 53 billion euros in 2020, and the European Union is one of the largest clients of this sector.