On 2 December 2025, hbs offices in Beirut, Rabat, Ramallah, and Tunis jointly hosted an online launch event for the Pesticide Atlas – MENA Region Edition 2025, published both in Arabic and English. The event brought together environmental organizations, activists, researchers, and interested participants from across the MENA region and the world. Speakers included hbs team members alongside experts and activists from Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine, and Tunisia.
The launch introduced the Pesticide Atlas – MENA Edition 2025 as a regional extension of the Global Pesticide Atlas (2022). Developed through collaborative research, data analysis, and investigative reporting, the Atlas highlights country-specific patterns of pesticide use and regulatory gaps. Published in both Arabic and English, it aims to support policy reform, raise public awareness, and strengthen advocacy for more sustainable and safer agricultural systems.
During the online event, participants examined the current landscape of pesticide use, risks, and governance across the MENA region, examining patterns of availability, regulation, and their wider impacts. Despite international bans and national regulations, highly hazardous pesticides remain widely available and frequently used. Weak enforcement and limited oversight often allow toxic products to circulate freely, posing serious risks to public health, ecosystems, and food systems.
Investigative journalist Farah Atyyat presented a case study from Jordan, documenting the widespread availability of banned and highly toxic pesticides in local markets. Many of these products are sold under misleading names, making it difficult for farmers to distinguish legal and illegal substances. Atyyat highlighted how porous borders and weak inspection mechanisms perpetuate this circulation, even as some farmers begin to reject toxic chemicals and seek safer alternatives.
In Lebanon, researcher Leila Rossa Mouawad explored the emerging potential of biopesticides as safer alternatives. While these natural-source pest control options offer promise, their adoption remains limited due to high costs, weak regulatory frameworks, and insufficient implementation mechanisms.
From Morocco, environmental journalist Dounia Mseffer brought attention to the experiences of agricultural workers, particularly women, who face routine exposure to hazardous pesticides without adequate training or protective equipment. Her contribution emphasized that pesticide use in export-oriented sectors raises environmental concerns and structures gendered labor risks.
In Palestine, journalist Firas Taweel shared findings from a multi-year investigation into pesticide imports and use in the West Bank. His research revealed that chemicals banned in the European Union continue to enter Palestinian markets, often rationalized as suitable for local conditions. Taweel also pointed to persistent challenges in translating updated pesticide registries into effective market control, leaving soil, water, and public health vulnerable.
Tunisia was showcased as a space of experimentation with alternatives to chemical pesticides. Researcher Emna Fourati highlighted agroecological initiatives that reduce chemical use by restoring soil health and promoting biodiversity. These initiatives demonstrate that sustainable pest management can be both environmentally sound and economically viable.
Across all contributions, speakers pointed to structural factors shaping pesticide markets, including the corporate influence of the pesticide industry, slow regulatory enforcement, and persistent informational gaps faced by farmers. The cumulative impacts of pesticide “cocktails” on ecosystems and human health also emerged as a critical concern.
The launch concluded with an open discussion on the role of civil society, investigative journalism, and research in challenging harmful agricultural practices and advocating for safer, more sustainable food systems. The Pesticide Atlas – MENA Edition 2025 was described as a vital tool for accountability, informing public debate, strengthening advocacy, and supporting policy change. It aims to serve as a reference for journalists, researchers, policymakers, farmers, and civil society actors working to promote environmental justice, health, and sustainable agriculture in the MENA region.
The Pesticide Atlas – MENA Edition 2025 is now available for download here:
- The Pesticide Atlas – MENA Edition 2025 - English version.
- The Pesticide Atlas – MENA Edition 2025 - Arabic version.
Organizations and individuals in Palestine and Jordan can request free printed copies. Please email your request and shipping address to: info@ps.boell.org