Pesticide Information

We recently had the opportunity to talk to Richard Davis, Director of Approvals, from the UK’s Pesticides Safety Directorate (PSD) just a few days before the Directorate issued a revised impact assessment on the proposed revisions to existing pesticide legislation (Directive 91/414/EEC). PSD received a fair amount of criticism for its first report so we asked why.

It will be recalled that the impact assessment issued by the UK’s Pesticides Safety Directorate (PSD) earlier this year made a significant contribution to the ongoing debate on the legislation currently being considered within the co-decision process. The assessment attracted some critical comments both from the Commission and the European Parliament, but it also heightened awareness of the possible impacts of some aspects of the proposals on European farming. The PSD has now issued a revised impact assessment which is available on their website.  Click here to view.

When Farmers Weekly presented their Save our Sprays petition to German Green MEP Hiltrud Breyer, the response they received was interesting to say the least. It will be recalled that the UK regulatory agency, the Pesticides Safety Directorate (PSD), has estimated that the cut-off criteria agreed by EU farm ministers in their ‘common position’ would lead to the disappearance of 15 per cent of currently available plant protection products. The European Parliament’s proposed extra criteria would place about 85 per cent under threat.

I have now read the decision of the England and Wales High Court (Administrative Court) before Mr Justice Collins.  I must emphasise that in commenting on this matter I am not a lawyer.   The judgment is a long and complex one, although much of it is taken up with a statement of the facts and a consideration of the relevant law.