Flemish Ruling Parties Push for PFAS Pesticide Phase-Out Strategy by 2026, Adopting Multi-Dimensional Approach to Safeguard Drinking Water Safety and Ecological Balance
Recently, the ruling coalition in Belgium's Flemish region formally submitted a proposal to the regional government, explicitly requiring the formulation of a comprehensive drinking water resource protection strategy by January 2026. A core focus of this strategy is the phased phase-out of various pesticide products containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). This initiative is not an impromptu idea; rather, it represents a consensus-based policy direction formed by the Flemish Parliament following months of efforts, including organizing multiple high-level expert hearings to fully demonstrate the long-term hazards of PFAS—known as "forever chemicals"—to human health and the ecological environment. It underscores the local determination and scientific approach to addressing persistent pollution.