Proposed pesticide legislation passed in the EU by overwhelming majority. The Regulation on the Placing on the Market of Plant Protection Products passed by a vote of 577 votes for and 61 votes against. The Sustainable Use of Pesticides Directive passed with 624 votes for it and 13 votes against. The new laws are to go into effect in 2010.
According to the European Crop Protection Association, growers have already lost 60% of previously available plant protection products during the laws’ initial review process. Also included in the new rules, which apply to all of Europe, is the inability to use, or great reduction in use, of pesticides near schools, parks, and hospitals.
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