ECPA regrets Committee decision in favour of arbitrary use reduction targets

BRUSSELS, 27 June 2007 - The European Crop Protection Association (ECPA) responded with disappointment to yesterday's European Parliament Environment Committee vote on the Sustainable Use Framework Directive. In particular, ECPA regrets the decision to impose arbitrary use reduction targets instead of supporting risk reduction through improved use practices.

Arbitrary use reduction targets inappropriate
ECPA's Senior Manager for Agriculture, Environment and Food Policy, Claudia Michel, expressed strong concern about the decision to impose a general EU-wide 25% use reduction target in 5 years and 50% use reduction target to be achieved in 10 years. "Setting arbitrary use reduction targets does not take into account that the amount used and number of application treatments is closely related to the type of crops being grown, the pest pressure and climatic situation. These targets will especially disadvantage Southern European farmers that grow a wide variety of fruits and vegetables as well as new Member States that are currently modernising their agricultural production."
 
Buffer zones for water bodies duplicate existing legislation
The Committee's decision to introduce EU-wide 10 metre buffer zones along all watercourses will not respond to the different agricultural situations in the different Member States, nor take into account the setting of country specific buffer zones during the authorisation of plant protection products, thus leading to double regulation.

New taxes endanger competitiveness of European agriculture
The Committee voted for the introduction of a new tax on plant protection products. Imposing a tax will increase the costs of production for farmers and further endanger the competitiveness of European agriculture on the global market.

Some positive outcomes from the vote
ECPA was, however, satisfied with some of the other outcomes of the Committee vote. Amendments to bolster the fight against illegal products were approved. Furthermore, aerial spraying can be permitted by Member States under certain conditions.

The next step will be the vote in the Plenary Session of the Parliament, scheduled for September.