Greenpeace: 102 Pesticides on UK Roast Dinner Crops

Greenpeace analysis of pesticide usage data from UK farmers has revealed that 102 different pesticides were applied to vegetables and strawberries commonly featured in British roast dinners during 2023 and 2024.

The study, based on surveys conducted by the Food and Environment Research Agency, covered onions, leeks, carrots, parsnips, field and stored potatoes, peas, swede, turnips, and strawberries. Onions and leeks saw the use of 43 pesticides, followed by 42 on strawberries, 40 on carrots and parsnips, 31 on field potatoes, 29 on peas, 20 on swede and turnips, and five on stored potatoes. All crops received multiple applications throughout the growing season, with some sprayed dozens of times.

Among the 102 pesticides, seven have been banned in the European Union due to links with health issues such as cancer and risks to bees, birds, mammals, and aquatic ecosystems. Examples include benthiavalicarb, used on potatoes, and dimethomorph, applied to strawberries and onions. Many commonly used pesticides are classified as highly hazardous to humans and wildlife, with some identified as PFAS, or forever chemicals, that persist in the environment for centuries.