Work on finding a compromise between the various political groups on the draft report of the European Parliament's Special PEST Committee begins this week in Strasbourg, the Greens/EFA said on 7 November at a press conference on the exposure of European citizens to toxic pesticides (see EUROPE 12132)
The attempt at political rapprochement is necessary, as 1140 amendments have been tabled to the 20-page draft report presented by the co-rapporteurs - Bart Staes (Greens/EFA, Belgium) and Norbert Lins (EPP, Germany) - at the end of September (see EUROPE 12105).
This investigation committee, chaired by Eric Andrieu (S&D, France), is responsible for shedding light on the pesticide authorisation procedure in the EU, following the controversial five-year renewal of the authorisation of glyphosate in the EU.
“The first meeting with the shadow rapporteurs will take place in Strasbourg. We have one month to agree. Work with the other groups has just begun. Monday in Strasbourg will be the opportunity to get a first feedback on the compromise attempts ,” explained an expert from the group.
The isolated conservatives. He recalled that there are two extremes: on the one hand, those mainly concerned about the impact of pesticides on human health and the environment, and on the other hand, those who fear a decrease in the competitiveness of an agriculture with fewer pesticides, such as the ECR group, “quite isolated".
The approach adopted by the two co-rapporteurs is to try to reach a broad agreement. "I agree with Norbert Lins that all studies should be published as soon as the rapporteur Member State gives its opinion and the peer review begins. We will have at least that ," said Bart Staes, confident in "good negotiations between political groups".
Some amendments by the Greens/EFA and the GUE/NGL, in particular, aim to ensure that neither studies nor the evaluation of studies are entrusted to industry. These groups are calling for full transparency of studies "so that science is not appropriated by industry. There must be a fund from the products sold that allows for independent studies," said Michèle Rivasi (Verts/ALE, France).
A debate is scheduled in committee on 27 or 28 November and the vote on 6 December. The plenary vote is scheduled for mid-January. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)