The NGO PAN Europe (Pesticide Action Network), which campaigns for the sustainable use of pesticides, welcomes the European Commission’s confirmation of forthcoming restrictions on the use of the neonicotinoid pesticide Sulfoxaflor, which is toxic to pollinators, but expects even more from the EU institution.
“We applaud the Commission’s decision to move forward with banning Sulfoxaflor for outdoor uses, despite the significant pressure it has been under”, said PAN Europe on Thursday 7 April (see EUROPE 12928/37).
However, the NGO regrets that in the future, greenhouse uses will be maintained, “as these are not closed systems, contrary to what the Commission claims”, according to Martin Dermine, Environment and Health Policy Officer at PAN Europe.
Sulfoxaflor was authorised in the EU in 2015 as an insecticide with similar properties to other neonicotinoid insecticides already banned. The NGO, which had fought against the initial approval, believes that “the Commission should have applied the precautionary principle and not approved it”. However, it welcomes the strong message to the industry that this substance will be partially banned for environmental reasons, only 7 years after its approval - a first.
“We now ask the European Commission to treat other bee-toxic pesticides, such as flupyradifurone or cypermethrin, in the same way”, says Dermine. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)