MEP backs new EU pesticide controls

A controversial new EU law that will result in up to 25 toxic pesticides being taken off the market gained the backing of British MEP Chris Davies today.

The measure introduces prohibitions on the use by farmers of chemicals that pose risks to human health and the environment because they are mutagenic, carcinogenic or toxic to reproduction.

It is expected to ban 4% of all pesticides and herbicides currently in use, including persistent bioaccumulative and toxic substances that, like DDT a generation ago, can lead to an accumulation of chemicals in the bodies of humans, birds and insects.

British farmers are worried in particular that the new law will make it more difficult to grow peas in damp conditions, while their French neighbours have concerns that producing apples without skin blemishes will become harder.

But Davies claims that the measure will encourage manufacturers to develop safer alternatives. He says that it is time to stop treating the world "like a giant chemistry set."

With the number of bees in steep decline the new law requires special assessments of products that could affect the exposure of bees to pesticides, in particular through nectar and pollen.

Pesticides will only have to be withdrawn from the market when their current authorisation comes to an end, which in most cases is not expected before 2013.

Davies hit out at critics of the measure who he accused of bowing to lobbyists and ignoring long term dangers.

He said: "Pesticides and herbicides play a hugely important role in maintaining high quality agricultural production, but we should not be using products that pose a threat to human health or the environment.

"This new law will stimulate research and the development of safer alternatives that simply would not happen if no controls were introduced. We can have both high quality peas AND better protection.