On Tuesday 2 June, the European Commission launched a public consultation on the roadmap for the evaluation of the directive on the ‘Sustainable Use of Pesticides’ (2009/128/EC) and an initial impact assessment for the possible revision of this legislation, scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2022.
This is one of the initiatives announced by the ‘Farm to Fork’ Sustainable Food Strategy to meet the EU’s commitment under the European Green Deal to reduce the use and risks of chemical pesticides (see EUROPE 12491/3).
The aim is to solve the key problem of the Directive’s limited effectiveness (see EUROPE 12493/17).
The Commission will review the extent to which the Directive is meeting its objectives - to protect human health and the environment from the risks and potential effects of pesticide use and to encourage the use of Integrated pest management and alternative approaches to the use of chemicals.
The evaluation will analyse the root causes and drivers of the problems. On the basis of this analysis, potential policy options will be developed.
Citizens, experts and stakeholders are invited to make suggestions until midnight (Brussels time) on 7 August 2020 to feed into the revision work.
To access the roadmap and participate in the consultation: https://bit.ly/2zXfNM6 (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)