Greens/EFA call for a new strong pesticides reduction proposal

Today, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced in the European Parliament the withdrawal of the Sustainable use of Pesticides Regulation (SUR). The Greens/EFA call for a new strong proposal. 

Sarah Wiener, Greens/EFA MEP and European Parliament Rapporteur for the SUR, comments: 

"Since the negotiations on the new Pesticides Regulation have been stuck for months, the Commission today pulled the plug and announced it is taking its proposal off the table. It is regrettable that it had to come to this, but at the same time this gives us a new opportunity to continue working on the SUR. Ahead of the election, the Greens/EFA will be pushing to see this proposal back on the agenda. Sustainable use of pesticides is key to save biodiversity and pollinators as well as protecting public health and the health of farmers. It’s a key aspect of the EU Farm-to-Fork strategy as well as the Green Deal. 

“What is needed are rules for pesticide reduction that will bring about real change in agriculture. This includes the promotion of integrated pest management - chemicals must be the last resort - and the protection of the environment and health. Pesticides have no place in cities and public parks. Financial support for farmers who reduce the use of pesticides is also particularly important. There must be clear incentives for an agricultural turnaround. Finally, clear targets are needed. The failures of the previous directive have shown nothing happens if no targets are set for pesticide reduction." 

More:
The new EU Pesticides Regulation (SUR) was the centrepiece of the Farm-to-Fork Strategy for a sustainable food system. The aim was to reduce the use of chemical and particularly hazardous pesticides by 50% by 2030. In addition to the necessary transformation of agriculture, the controversial regulation also focussed on protecting the environment and health.