Allister raises insecticide concerns with Fischer-Boel
06 May 2008
ALLISTER RAISES INSECTICIDE CONCERNS WITH FISCHER-BOEL
During an appearance by Commissioner Fischer-Boel before the Agriculture Committee of the European Parliament in Brussels, Traditional Unionist MEP Jim Allister took the opportunity to raise concerns about the Commission's review of the regulation on insecticides, 91/414. It is proposed to shift from a risk to hazard based approach, which will outlaw many insecticides and fungicides currently in use in agriculture. Among the sectors fearing a resulting reduction in production are potato growers, where estimates suggest yield could fall by 33%.
Mr Allister warned that we were in danger of falling into the same trap as has arisen with GMOs, whereby we ban the use of certain insecticides in Europe, increase dependence on imports, only to discover that they have been produced with the very insecticides we have banned! Such folly, the MEP warned the Commissioner, only hurts our own producers, with no benefit to our consumers. Mr Allister, therefore, argued that the present risk based approach should be retained and asked what impact assessment on food production had been carried out in connection with this proposed change?
The Commissioner undertook to write to the MEP to update him on the present position and prospects.
ENDS
