Pesticide Information

The European Parliament recently voiced its concerns regarding rising food prices in the EU and developing countries at its plenary discussion in April 2008. I raised the point that we should have a closer look at our European legislation and whether it allows for an increase of agricultural productivity. We have numerous legislation restricting the use of fertilizers and pesticides leading to an increased burden on farmers to produce high quality products at an affordable price for everyone. I believe this is exactly what hinders an increase of productivity. I therefore propose we should reconsider what changes in this area are necessary whilst safeguarding high standards of protection of the consumer and the environment.

Dr. Horst Schnellhardt, MEP

Blogger, Wyn Grant, posted an interesting entry today on his blog Good Agricultural Practice. He is following the EU legislation reform on pesticides and is on the stakeholders’ committee involved in the implementation strategy of thePesticides Safety Directorate in the UK. He’s fully aware of the dangers of pesticides, saying: “Pesticides are toxic and they need stringent regulation, which they receive. However, there has to be a balance in terms of food security, the availability of fruit and vegetables in particular at affordable prices and the desirability of a healthy and balanced diet. New detection methods can pick up miniscule residues which pose no threat to health. Indeed, where there are problems, they tend to be with produce imported from outside the EU.”

At a recent industry workshop co-hosted by COPA-COGECA, ECPA and ESA, we spoke to some of the experts present about industry’s take on some of the broader issues surrounding pesticides: Burleson Smith, Director Pest Management Policy, US Department of Agriculture; M Sirca, Slovenian wine producer; and Bernd Gruner, Secretary General of Celcaa.