An NGO has raised concerns about the French National Agency for Sanitary Safety (Anses), suggesting that the agrochemical industry and its political allies are exerting undue pressure on the organization. Pollinis, an independent environmental group focused on protecting pollinators like bees and butterflies, released a report on September 24 titled "Anses, the expertise under pressure." The report highlights growing concerns over Anses' financial situation and its ability to maintain scientific independence. Pollinis argues that the agency is struggling with underfunding, a growing workload, and political efforts that seem to prioritize the interests of the agrochemical industry over public health and environmental safety. According to the report, Anses' budget has decreased by nearly seven million euros since 2024, leaving it with a "deeply deficit financing model." Pollinis points out that the fees paid by the agrochemical industry for pesticide evaluations are not sufficient to cover the full cost of these assessments. The general delegate of Pollinis, Julie Sohier, explained that while the industry contributes about eight million euros annually, the total cost of evaluating pesticide risks is 16 million euros, meaning the remaining eight million comes from public funds. The report also includes statements from union representatives at Anses, who say that manufacturers often submit incomplete documentation, especially for pesticides already on the market. They claim the goal is to secure temporary exemptions from the Ministry of Agriculture without Anses' input and to extend product authorizations for up to 120 days. The number of such exemptions has risen sharply, with 138 recorded this year—up from 110 in 2022 and 83 in 2021. Julie Sohier said that the Ministry of Agriculture appears to be regularly bypassing Anses' expertise, often without regard for potential risks to human health or the environment. Pollinis is calling for increased funding and staffing for Anses, warning that the agency is increasingly seen as a tool to support political decisions that favor the agro-industry. Julie Sohier emphasized that without more resources, Anses will struggle to counter the growing influence of the agrochemical sector. She added that when Anses slows down the approval of new pesticides, the industry and government seem to push for faster approvals, reducing the agency's role to a routine administrative process that prioritizes industry interests over scientific rigor.