Spanish to figure out best agchem regulation for fruit
Date:04-07-2008
Spanish fruit grower and agrochemical associations are to carry out studies on best regulation of the pesticide market for the European fruit farming sector. The research findings are to be presented to national and EU authorities and policy makers. The organisations have set up the “Plant Protection Working Table” to carry out the work. It aims to spread knowledge on issues such as necessary crop protection, the efficient use of [pesticide] active ingredients, and protection of the environment, one of its members, the Spanish agrochemical industry association, the AEPLA, says.
“It will consist of the major fruit growers businesses in Catalonia, which will be fundamental in elaborating technical reports that the Table will preset as a reference point for proposals on phytosanitary issues,” it adds.
New EU regulations that are being considered by the EU Council of Agriculture Ministers have motivated the move. “A series of amendments from the European Parliament will cause the loss of ais that are used by fruit growers to protect trees, leaving them at the mercy of diseases and pests, the AEPLA says. It claims that north European views on agriculture are dominating EU “political” decision-making, which is “at the margins of scientific criteria”.
Parties to the Working Table include the AEPLA, the Catalan regional government’s Ministry of Agriculture and the agricultural research institute (IRTA), the Catalan association of fruit producers and the Spanish University of Lleida.
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