Pesticides
- (Photo: European Commission)
Pesticides
Around 300,000 tonnes of pesticides are released into
the European environment each year. Debate continues between those who warn of
the risks that pesticides pose to human health and the environment and those
who argue for the presumed benefits of their use, particularly in agricultural
production.
The Commission has presented a Communication entitled,
"Towards a Thematic Strategy on the Sustainable Use of Pesticides".
This communication has been heavily criticised for being too weak and
non-binding.
The EU can decide by qualified majority which pesticides should be allowed.
Notes
A risk assessment will be necessary in order to place a plant protection product (PPP) on the market.
Denmark has forbidden 13 pesticides where 12 of them have been found in drinking water. Denmark does not clean the ground water before drinking it, thus wanted to continue to forbid these pesticides against new harmonised EU rules.
The Commission wanted to forbid Denmark to forbid the pesticides. An amendment was carried by the European Parliament to allow member states to protect their drinking water. In the end, Commission President Barroso accepted the possibility to have a higher standard of protection.
A new regulation on the marketing of pesticides has been adopted.
Links
Sustainable use of pesticide in the European Union http://ec.europa.eu/environment/ppps/home.htm
