EP Environment Committee approves pesticides plans
06 November 2008
The European Parliament’s Environment Committee has voted to approve plans to overhaul how pesticides are governed across the EU. The report will now go before MEP’s for a vote in January’s plenary.
Jim Allister MEP commented:
“I am alarmed that the Rapporteur, German Green MEP Hiltrud Breyer, would press ahead with these proposals, showing little regard for the concerns of farmers and growers, and belittling the serious consequences for crop production in Europe, particularly in wetter climates such as we have in Northern Ireland.”
“An impact assessment is the only way to progress this issue in an informed manner, and to guard against the possibility of consumers having to pay much higher prices for food as a result of lower yields, in the absence of much needed plant protection products. It would seem certain parties have much to fear from this type of objective approach.”
“Clearly there has to be a balanced approach on pesticides, but my fear is that we are moving closer to a situation which will prove unworkable for growers, and will be evidenced by massive reductions in crop production levels. I certainly intend to exert my opposition to these unworkable proposals when the issue comes before the European Parliament in January.”
ENDS
