Chlorpyrifos was banned in the EU in 2020 and is a serious health concern due to its endocrine-disrupting effects, especially for children, with practically no permissible intake levels.

The Veneto region, which is a leader in the wine sector, argues that only a single application of the chemical, weeks before the harvest, would be sufficient for success, which could avoid the health risk, mentioning an exception of the drug was already granted in 2021.

The request is under examination by the Italian Ministry of Health. The pest also poses a threat to olive trees.