Klorpyrifos has long been banned in Sweden, but because it has been legal in other countries, the pesticide has been discovered on imported citrus fruits, among other things.

Today, the Commission met to decide on the funding. The Swedish Chemicals Agency has represented Sweden on behalf of the government and voted for a ban on chlorpyrifos.

The new ban, which was approved by a broad majority, comes into force on 31 January 2020 and means that the use and sale of chlorpyrifos is banned throughout the EU.

- The ban can in turn have the consequence that imports of products from countries outside the EU, which have residues of the agent, can also be regulated, says Björn Malmström, press officer at the Swedish Chemicals Inspectorate.