ECPA welcomes Commission’s proposals on the Thematic Strategy and Framework Directive on the Sustainable Use of Pesticides

Brussels, 12 July - The European Crop Protection Association (ECPA) today welcomed the Commission's proposals for a Thematic Strategy and Framework Directive on the Sustainable Use of Pesticides. The Thematic Strategy and the Framework Directive aim at complementing the existing legal framework on plant protection products with a framework targeting the actual use phase.

The European crop protection industry strongly supports the goals of the Thematic Strategy, encouraging measures to further reduce potential risks associated with the use of plant protection products. These measures should begin where action can be taken most effectively, namely initiatives aiming at improving use practices.

Claudia Michel, ECPA's Senior Manager for Agriculture and Environment Policy, added: "We absolutely support further risk reduction measures, and we will continue to work with other stakeholders to find the most effective ways of enhancing the sustainable use of plant protection products."

Ms Michel stressed, however, that whatever legal measures are taken, it is very important to maintain coherence with other existing legislation and measures at national and European level. Duplication of efforts or overlaps with other legislation need to be avoided when setting the framework for Sustainable Use.

Dr Friedhelm Schmider, ECPA's Director General, underlined the benefits of sustainable use: "Farmers who use plant protection products safely and sustainably produce food in an environmentally sound, economically viable and socially responsible way. In doing so, they work in tandem with nature to achieve what consumers and policy makers increasingly demand: the production of sufficient, safe food with optimal respect for natural ecosystems."

ECPA has recently launched Sense & Sustainability, a pan-European campaign to promote the sustainable use of plant protection products. To read more about the campaign please visit: www.ecpa.be/Sense+Sustainability.

Today, ECPA also expressed its concerns with regard to another Commission legislative proposal on the revision of Directive 91/414/EEC on the placing of plant protection products on the market. To read more, please see related ECPA press release.