The European Parliament voted in plenary session to reject the European Commission’s (EC) proposal to tighten pesticide regulation, online publication Agriland reports on November 22.
In June 2022, the EC proposed a sustainable use regulation (SUR) for plant protection products. Last month, parliament’s environment committee voted to add stricter measures to the proposed regulation.
The amended rules call for a 50% reduction in pesticide use by 2030 and a 65% reduction by “most dangerous products” (for example, pesticides containing unapproved substances used under nationally approved, time-limited emergency authorizations).
This proposal would have led to a complete ban on the use of pesticides (except those approved for organic farming and biological control) in “sensitive areas”, which include Natura 2000 sites. The European Parliament rejected the proposal commission: 299 deputies voted against and 207 in favor, with 121 abstentions.
The EU legislative procedure is expected to be continued by the EU Council (also known as the Council of Ministers), which will consider the EC proposal.
Europe’s farmers’ associations enthusiastically welcomed the European Parliament’s decision. Thus, the Irish Farmers Association (IFA) stated that the vote in parliament “It is a great relief for farmers”. Kieran McEvoy, national president of the cereals association, said the law “It would cause great damage to agricultural production and food security throughout the EU”.
While farmers’ organizations welcomed the voting results, a group of non-governmental organizations seeking to reduce pesticide use said the voting results “represent a serious attack on [европейский] “Green Deal” and public interests”.
Martin Dermine, Executive Director of PAN (Pesticide Action Network) Europe, said: “Thousands of scientists and millions of citizens demand a reduction in the use of pesticides to protect health and the environment. By failing to meet these demands, the European Parliament sends a negative signal to voters about its ability to solve major social problems.”.
Source: Rossa Primavera
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