Hosted in cooperation with the Cyprus International Institute for Environmental and Public Health (CII), Cyprus University of Technology.

Where: University of Cyprus, Main Library Amphitheatre, Nicosia, Cyprus

When: 19 February 2026 from 08:30 – 13:00 (GMT+2)

Language: English

Programme:

09:00 | Opening Remarks

• Prof. Dr Konstantinos C. Makris, Cyprus International Institute for Environmental and Public Health, Cyprus University of Technology
• Representative of the Cyprus EU Presidency (Cyprus Ministry of Agriculture, Department of Agriculture)
• Cypriot MEP (TBC)

09:15 | Panel 1: Addressing the COM Proposal – Backlash in Pesticide regulation?

Chair: Dr Agapios Agapiou, Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry, University of Cyprus

This urgent panel will examine the European Commission’s 2025 proposal allowing open-ended, potentially unlimited pesticide approvals, which would undermine scientific assessment, endanger human health and the environment, and contradict the principles of precaution and sustainability.

Presentations will focus on:

• Overview of the COM proposal and its implications for EU food safety and environmental protection.
• How unlimited approvals undermine the approval system under Regulation 1107/2009.
• Risks for children, water protection, biodiversity and pollinators.
• Legal inconsistencies and potential violations of the precautionary principle.
• How the Cyprus Presidency can guide Council discussions to challenge the proposal and reinforce, not weaken, EU pesticide legislation.

10:00 | Panel 2: Pesticide contamination, PFAS pesticides, Children’s Health and Pesticide Exposure

Chair: 

Presentations will focus on:

• Presentation of house dust sampling survey for pesticides in Cyprus households (Makris KC)
• PFAS in pesticide formulations & TFA contamination in products and agricultural areas (PAN)
• Perceived challenges and recommendations for reduction of pesticide use: A participatory mapping exercise with stakeholders in Cyprus [Dr. Nicos Middleton (Cyprus University of Technology), Dr. Souzana Achilleos (University of Nicosia), Cyprus Epidemiology and Public Health Association]

11:00 | Coffee Break

11:30 | Panel 3: Reducing Pesticide Dependency – by local farmer, organic association

Chair:

Presentations will focus on:

• Biological control – organic farming and organic diet in children and health benefits (Konstantinou Corina, CUT)
• Balancing Productivity and Protection: Sustainable Agriculture and the Future of Pesticide Use, Dr. Menelaos Stavrinidis, CUT
• Case studies from Cyprus on pesticides in foods (State General Lab, Dr. Maro Christodoulidou, Ministry of Health) (TBC)

12:30 | Panel 4: Panel discussion on Moving forward towards a sustainable and healthy future of vulnerable populations

Chair:

Presentations will focus on:

• Presidency – Cyprus Ministry of Agriculture, Panagiota Sofkleous, Lyssandros Lyssandrou
• Academia – Konstantinos Makris
• NGOs – PAN, FOE and Laona Foundation
• Organic Farmers Association (TBC)
• Union of Agriculture Scientists (Dr. Spyrou)
• Beekeepers President (TBC)

13:00 | Closing Session

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