On Wednesday 5 July, the European Commission concluded that the additional impact study on the effects of the pesticides proposal on food security confirms the need to reduce the use and risks of chemical pesticides by 50%.
As announced, at the EU Council’s request, the Commission has published additional data on the sustainable use of pesticides (see EUROPE 13201/22).
“Our reply makes clear how to deploy alternatives to chemicals in practically no time. The study also shows that our proposal to cut the use and risk of chemical pesticides in half will help guarantee our food and feed security”, Frans Timmermans, the Commission Vice-President responsible for the European Green Deal, told the press on Wednesday.
This response confirms that the pesticide reduction targets set out in the proposed regulation do not threaten food security, the Commission continues. This conclusion is not altered by the short-term negative effects of the war in Ukraine. On the contrary, any failure to meet the pesticide reduction target would have long-term and potentially irreversible effects on our food security in the future.
Significant progress made. Member States have already made substantial progress towards achieving their targets. This is confirmed by an annual update on the pesticide reduction targets, published on the same day, which shows a 33% reduction in chemical pesticides and a 21% reduction in more hazardous pesticides by 2021 at EU level. Although the EU is moving in the right direction to achieve the objectives of reducing the use and risks of chemical pesticides and more hazardous pesticides by 50% by 2030, there is still work to be done, according to the Commission.
The study sets out possibilities for further action to accelerate bringing alternatives to market and to maintain the overall positive trend. This includes continuing to ensure that chemical and more dangerous pesticides are only used as a last resort. By systematically applying the principles of integrated pest management (IPM) and receiving independent advice on its application, farmers can reduce their dependence on chemical pesticides without jeopardising the profitability of their business.
The results put forward by the additional study are “worrying” in the eyes of European winegrowers. Projections show a fall in grape production estimated at -28% in France, -20% in Italy and -18% in Spain. These alarming figures do not take into account the impact of climatic hazards (hail, frost, drought) which regularly have repercussions on European winegrowing, explain the Assembly of European Wine-producing Regions (AREV), Copa-Cogeca and EFOW (European Federation of Origin Wines).
Link to the study: https://aeur.eu/f/7wy (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)