Mexico Bans 35 Pesticides to Protect Health, Agriculture

The Mexican government has banned 35 hazardous pesticides, aiming to protect public health and reduce the risks posed by agrochemicals. The decree, coordinated by the Ministry of Health, COFEPRIS, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (SADER), the Ministry of Economy, and the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, argues that these substances are harmful to farmworkers, consumers, and ecosystems.

Exposure to some pesticides has been linked to severe health consequences, including developmental effects on fetuses and infants, neurological damage, and contamination of food and water. Certain chemicals are also highly toxic to pollinators like bees, threatening biodiversity and food security. Mexico ranks as the 11th largest consumer of pesticides globally, with decades of largely unregulated use contributing to significant health and environmental risks.

To support the transition to safer agricultural practices, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Mexico will contribute to the preparatory phase of the “Financing for the Reduction and Management of Agrochemical Products Plus in Mexico (FARM+ Mexico)” project. 

Running from 2026 to 2031, FARM+ Mexico aims to implement a national strategy to phase out high-risk pesticides, strengthen monitoring and control systems, and promote agroecological alternatives. The project has secured US$7.5 million in funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF).

Among the banned substances are aldicarb, carbofuran, endosulfan, and DDT. Aldicarb, used on sugarcane and citrus crops, poses severe health risks upon direct contact and can contaminate water sources, reads the decree. Carbofuran, prohibited in Canada and the European Union, is mainly used on coffee, citrus, and avocado crops. Endosulfan affects fetal and infant development and is widely applied in maize, cotton, and fruit crops. DDT, already banned internationally, had only been restricted for import in Mexico prior to this decree.

SADER says that this decree is the first since 1991 to prohibit agricultural molecules for which safer alternatives exist. Additional decrees are expected by 2027 to regulate more pesticides, aligning Mexico with international standards and further protecting human health.

“These efforts lay the foundation for a transition toward sustainable, climate-resilient agriculture with reduced environmental impact,” says Julio Berdegué, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development. The initiative also supports Mexico’s international commitments on climate change, desertification, and biodiversity.