On the path to national sustainable development and the well-being of its people, the Mexican government recently took a momentous step, unequivocally banning the use, production, sale, and import of as many as 35 pesticides. This significant prohibition is not an isolated measure but a crucial component of Mexico's broader vision to transition towards an ecological agricultural model, protect biodiversity, ensure food safety, and elevate overall public health standards. The list of banned pesticides is extensive and comprehensive, ranging from commonly used chemicals such as 2,4-DB, Alachlor, and Aldicarb, to substances with significant risks to the environment and human health, including Azinphos-methyl, Azocyclotin, Chlorpyrifos-methyl (once widely used for crops like cotton and corn), DDT (the infamous persistent organic pollutant), Endosulfan, Flusilazole, Phosfamidon (a highly toxic organophosphate), and Parathion-ethyl. The underlying objective of this ban is to unwaveringly safeguard the occupational health of agricultural workers in their production environments, ensure the safety of food on consumers' tables, and lay a solid foundation for Mexico's agriculture to transition towards a cleaner, more efficient, and environmentally friendly sustainable development model.

In announcing this historically significant decision, the Mexican President solemnly emphasized to the nation that this action is a powerful fulfillment of his commitment made in late March. He pointed out that while many of the banned pesticides were previously in widespread circulation, their potential harm to human health and ecological systems has garnered extensive global concern, leading to their prohibition or phased elimination in numerous developed countries. The implementation of this ban not only demonstrates the Mexican government's unwavering determination to protect public health and the environment but also reflects its active commitment to international responsibilities and alignment with advanced global environmental concepts. This inter-agency collaborative initiative was led by the Federal Commission for the Protection against Health Risks (COFEPRIS), under the Ministry of Health, and received strong support and efficient coordination from other key government departments, including the Ministry of Economy, the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, thus ensuring the scientific formulation, effective implementation, and remarkable impact of the policy.

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development further elaborated on the international context and profound implications of this ban. He highlighted that all 35 banned substances are listed under the control of several important international conventions to which Mexico is a signatory, including the Basel Convention (aimed at controlling transboundary movements of hazardous wastes and their disposal), the Stockholm Convention (focusing on persistent organic pollutants), and the Rotterdam Convention (concerning the prior informed consent procedure for certain hazardous chemicals and pesticides in international trade). This alignment with international agreements not only elevates Mexico's standing in global environmental governance but also provides robust international legal support for its domestic environmental regulations. The Minister added that the last time Mexico enacted pesticide regulations of a similar scale was way back in 1991, which only involved 21 active ingredients. This stark contrast not only underscores the landmark significance of the current ban in its breadth and depth but also heralds the determination and speed with which the Mexican government is advancing on the path of agricultural sustainable development. The Minister revealed that the Mexican government will continue its relentless efforts to eliminate harmful substances incompatible with modern ecological agriculture concepts and sustainable development principles, having established a clear and ambitious timetable: the detailed list for the second batch of banned pesticides is expected to be announced in 2026, followed by the third batch in 2027. This progressive yet resolute policy roadmap aims, through continuous efforts, to ultimately achieve a complete green transformation of Mexico's agricultural production, leading the nation into a healthier, environmentally friendly, and economically prosperous era of ecological agriculture. This commitment not only addresses the well-being of the current Mexican population but also seeks to leave a valuable ecological legacy for future generations.