Brussels, 07/06/2016 (Agence Europe) - The EP said in Strasbourg on Tuesday 7 June that innovation had the potential to contribute to achieving sustainable agriculture in the EU, and that precision farming (PF) technologies are particularly important.
Parliament passed the report by Anthea McIntyre (ECR, UK) on technological solutions for sustainable agriculture by 454 votes to 177, with 42 abstentions. It removed, however, a number of passages in the text which it felt were tipped too far in favour of industry and pesticides.
Genetic diversity. Parliament underlined the importance of opening up the conservation of genetic resources to a greater diversity of plant and animal species and for the research funding in this area to result in technological improvements for agriculture and horticulture. It acknowledged the need to maintain and use genetic resources for long-term food security and to broaden the genetic base of modern plant and animal breeding programmes. Parliament also considers it essential to maintain and develop the performance of local breeds, given their ability to adapt to the characteristics of their native environment, and for farmers' rights to breed plants autonomously and to store and exchange seeds of different species and varieties, in order to ensure the genetic diversity of European agriculture.
Plant protection products (PPPs). Parliament calls on the European Commission to establish clear criteria for defining low-risk active substances for the development and use of low-risk pesticides, while taking account of evolving scientific knowledge and ensuring that the objectives of health and environmental protection are met. The paragraph calling for quicker approval procedures for new pesticides was struck off. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)