Pesticides: Environment committee supports better protection against dangerous pesticides
The European parliament's environment committee today adopted a report on pesticides by German Green MEP Hiltrud Breyer. She commented:
"The European parliament environment committee has today supported higher standards for protection of human health and the environment. Its vote will lead to a more innovative and competitive European chemical industry in the field of pesticides.
The committee has set a strong negotiating position for upcoming discussions with Council and the European Commission by strengthening the cut-off criteria. I welcome that MEPs voted to prohibit substances deemed to be of significant risk to the development of the immune or nervous system. They have also insisted on better protection for bees, which play a crucial role in food production.
It is a positive step that environment committee members have again rejected zonal authorisation for pesticide products, supported by the Commission and Council. As rapporteur I support harmonised rules for product authorisation but this must not be at the expense of EU member states.
It is highly regrettable that many representatives of farmer's organisations uncritically accepted grossly exaggerated industry figures. Farmers and their families will benefit from improved EU legislation most of all since they are at greatest risk of exposure to the harmful effects of toxic pesticides. This legislation would not mean crop loss for farmers."
UK Green MEP Caroline Lucas, member of the environment committee, added:
"With today's vote, MEPs have rejected industry scaremongering, and sent a clear message to the Council that they want to see a reduction in the use of dangerous pesticides.
Human health must be given better protection. Just a few weeks ago, the EU's latest Food Monitoring Report revealed that a record level of pesticides are being found in food items sold in the EU, with almost half of all fruit, vegetables and cereals containing pesticide residues, and 5% of them at concentrations above maximum legal limits.
I welcome the fact that residents have been recognised as a "vulnerable groups", in recognition of the fact that residents living close to sprayed fields are currently particularly vulnerable to the dangers of exposure to repeat spraying with a cocktail of potentially dangerous pesticides."
Additional information can be found on Hiltrud Breyer's website.
