UP to 40 percent of currently approved pesticides could be lost, experts have warned, as discussions on crop protection rule changes entered their final phase in Europe.
After a disastrous first reading that would have removed up to 85 per cent of pesticides from use, members of the European Parliament environment committee voted on a softer paper during their second reading earlier this month.
However, experts from the European Crop Protection Association have estimated the new committee stance could still remove almost half of currently approved pesticides.
ECPA governmental affairs manager, Stephan Schraff, said MEP attempts to introduce new cut-off criteria would still be disastrous for farmers.
“A 40 percent reduction in plant protection products would have considerable impacts on productivity and food prices.
“The extra cut-off criteria to remove more pesticides, as advocated by the MEPs, are not justified. We will continue to fight against their proposals.”
Last week, Agriculture Commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel turned on the MEPs trying to introduce tough new rules.
Mrs Fischer Boel said: “I agree that some pesticides should be phased out but what the European Parliament environment committee have proposed is unacceptable.
"People with no understanding of the agriculture sector are trying to strengthen rules on pesticides in a dangerous way. We must defend the Council common position,” she said.
Agriculture ministers will continue their discussion on new pesticide rules when they meet in Brussels on November 20.
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