EU pesticide policy is under scrutiny and review – but is in danger of being overly politicised, with scientific rigor taking second place to opinion, according to Mairead McGuinness.
The MEP and First Vice-President of the European Parliament was speaking ahead of a vote this Wednesday (January 16) in Strasbourg, and commenting on a report that outlines the European Parliament’s position on the EU’s pesticide policy.
‘Serious consequences’
“The EU’s authorisation procedure could have serious consequences for the Irish tillage industry if a proposal to ban the use of PPPs (plant protection products) for desiccation purposes is adopted,” the MEP said.
Desiccation of crops is sometimes necessary in Ireland. This report fails to take into account our temperate climate and wet summers, which require the use of plant protection products as a desiccant.
McGuinness noted that the report contains many important points, including increased transparency in the approval system for agrochemicals and calling for a clamp-down on fake and illegal pesticides entering the EU.
“There is significant scientific knowledge and expertise in Ireland and the wider EU in the area of PPPs. However, there is a growing populist call for agrochemicals to be phased out or banned, without due account taken of the consequences.”
The MEP noted that the debate had recently zoomed in on individual plant protection products such as glyphosate.
“We need to give consideration to the future of food production and how plant protection products fit into a sustainable, environmentally friendly system, rather than starting from the position that the use of PPPs carry huge risks and that they can be done without.
“There are significant technological developments including precision farming, which assists in better targeting and use of agrochemicals,” said the MEP.
“The EU is currently evaluating existing pesticide legislation to make sure it’s fit for purpose and this report will feed into the debate.”
“Last year, the EU banned the outdoor use of certain insecticides – neonicotinoids – as a result of a study from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) showing that these agrochemicals represent a risk to wild pollinators and honey bees.
“In Ireland almost one third of bee species are endangered and inappropriate use of PPPs has an impact, as does weather and disease.”
Tightening rules
EU countries are tightening rules on pesticide use. As of this month, France has banned the over-the-counter purchasing and use of certain pesticides for non-agricultural use such as in domestic gardening and in public parks.
“The EU’s authorisation procedure for plant protection products is one of the most stringent in the world,” McGuinness added.
The MEP is a member of a special committee in the European Parliament examining the authorisation of agrichemicals in the EU.