Water

Water is a scarce resource throughout the world. The EU has adopted a water directive and a pesticide regulation.

The European Parliament has by a large majority supported a Danish proposal to amend the directive so as to provide for common minimum standards and allow member states to opt for a higher level of protection.

The Commission and the Council of Ministers were opposed to the proposal in July 2006, but had to bow to pressure from Parliament.

The new rules on pesticides are based on free sale of pesticides within certain geographical zones. But they may also allow for a derogation where ground water used for drinking water may be threatened.