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Improving sustainability[/B] in pesticides can be positive for farmers, as the Commission proposes concrete alternatives for farmers, said Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakidou, presenting to the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) Committee the recent proposal on the restriction and sustainable use of pesticides.
As she stressed, the time of chemical pesticides is over, with this process being accelerated as the Russian invasion of Ukraine increases the need for short-term solutions as well.
The Commissioner discussed, among other things, the Commission's proposals for alternatives to herbal pesticides, which can be used by farmers in the EU. Kyriakidou referred to her hearing before the Parliament on her appointment, and the importance given by MEPs to the issue of pesticides as it is an issue of concern to citizens, and recalled that at the time she pledged to develop solutions to protect health, the environment and pollinators.
Noting that despite the pandemic and the war in Ukraine, this issue remained a priority through the farm-to-table strategy and biodiversity targets, focusing on limiting the use of chemical pesticides by 2030.
She pointed out that it is clear from citizens' initiatives that Europeans want less pesticides and "a different food system" that "works with nature, not against it."
Ms. Kyriakidou presented MEPs with the main parameters of the proposal, which include legally binding targets at EU level, backed up by national binding targets, and a ban on chemical pesticides in all vulnerable areas and within three metres of them.
In particular, these vulnerable areas concern green urban areas such as parks and gardens, children's areas and public footpaths, as well as protected areas of the Natura 2000 network.
Also, he continued, the proposal contains a comprehensive set of tools for farmers to manage weeds, which will include environmentally sustainable solutions so that chemical pesticides are used only as a last resort.
These tools also include specific rules for each crop type to be defined by member states.
Kyriakidou also called on farmers' organisations to ask the industry for safer and better alternatives, and urged the industry to proceed with their development as soon as possible. For this reason, she continued, the Commission has proposed new rules for micro-organisms that will facilitate the development of alternatives.
Finally, the Commissioner pointed out that the proposals also include financial support for the agricultural sector through the Common Agricultural Policy funds. In particular, according to the proposal, Member States will have to provide information on how they will use the relevant funds in this direction.
Source: CNA
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