EU Parliament scrutinises use of pesticides on farms and in public places

EU rules on the sustainable use of pesticides must be better implemented, first Vice-President of the European Parliament, Mairead McGuinness, said today in Strasbourg, following a vote on the implementation of Directive 2009/128/EC on the sustainable use of pesticides.

The report which was the subject of today’s debate calls for a reduction in the use of pesticides and the development of safer, biological controls. It calls for a fast track procedure to get low risk pesticides onto the market.

Parliament rejected calls for a 50pc reduction in the use of pesticides, but called for sustainable biological, physical and other non-chemical methods, if they provide satisfactory control.

A global scientific review, published in the journal of Biological Conservation, notes that more than 40pc of insect species are declining and a third are endangered.

“While there are many reasons for the loss of insects, the report points to intensive agriculture as the main reason for the declines, particularly the use of pesticides,” Ms McGuinness said.

The Parliament overwhelmingly expressed concern about the loss of biodiversity, reflecting public awareness of and concerns about biodiversity loss.

The report calls on all Member States to fully prepare National Actions Plans (NAPs) indicating objectives, targets, measurements and timetables for the various actions in order to reduce agrochemical use. However, implementation is sporadic, the report warns.

“Member States differ significantly in how they implement the Directive in the design and quality of National Action Plans and in the implementation of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) measures,” the MEP said.

“Today’s report calls for a renewed emphasis on IPM measures and calls for the better implementation of existing rules on how pesticides are used in order to mitigate potential risks to the environment and human and animal health,” she said.

The report also calls on the Commission to ensure the Directive is implemented and to take infringement proceedings against Member States found to be failing on implementation.

“IPM is the corner stone of this Directive and it seeks to use a broad range of pest management techniques and tools, including physical and biological, with the use of agro-chemicals as a last resort.”

“IPM, including crop rotation, nutrient management planning, cultivation techniques such as conservation tillage etc can provide for effective pest control and so reduce the need for pesticides.”

The MEP said farmers need access to a broad range of tools, and IPM is one of these tools together with agrochemicals.

She welcomed the decision taken last month to establish Harmonised Risk Indicators which will facilitate the monitoring of specific aspects of the Directive.

Harmonised Risk Indicators are important to measure progress in meeting the objectives of the Directive, she added.