The Chairman of the European Parliament's Environment Committee, Pascal Canfin (Renew Europe, French), told the press on Friday 20 October that there was “a good chance of bringing the text” on pesticides to a successful conclusion during the vote scheduled for the plenary session of the European Parliament (20-23 November).
Ahead of the vote in the European Parliament Environment Committee on Tuesday 24 October, Mr Canfin was optimistic that the compromise amendments negotiated by the rapporteur, Sarah Wiener (Greens/EFA, Austrian), with the Renew Europe, S&D, Greens/EFA and The Left groups would be accepted. The Renew Europe group seems united on this issue (see EUROPE 13275/8).
Mr Canfin pointed out that although the EPP group had not accepted the compromise amendments in question, it had not chosen “a line of outright rejection”, but rather one of negotiation. “We will have points of discussion with a number of EPP members”, he predicted. In his view, there should be some room for manoeuvre to negotiate (with the EPP: editor’s note) on certain issues between now and the plenary vote.
On Tuesday, the EPP is expected to table amendments incorporating elements of the opinion of the European Parliament Agriculture Committee.
Mr Canfin stressed the importance of this text, which would result in a legally binding objective for each Member State, “with a target result”. The compromise amendments emphasise the objective of replacing pesticides. Biocontrol is therefore one of the alternatives to be promoted in order to eliminate chemical pesticides. He stressed the need to simplify authorisation procedures.
In addition, a greater differentiation is planned between the riskiest pesticides (reduction target of 65% by 2030, according to the compromise amendments) and those that are less risky (50% reduction), insisted the chairman of the European Parliament Environment Committee.
In addition to the reduction targets for 2030, the compromise amendments include a revision clause for 2027-2029. The Commission will have to assess the situation, with a possible postponement of the application date by two years, if there are not enough alternative substances available.
The amendments do not exclude any sensitive areas, except for water catchment areas and those covered by the Nitrates Directive. All the ecological zones proposed by the Commission have been retained, including pollinator zones. The compromises provide for all substances containing pesticides, except biocontrol, to be banned in sensitive areas.
The buffer zones would be 5 metres (3 metres, according to the European Commission and the opinion of the European Parliament Agriculture Committee). There is provision for derogations where necessary.
The Commission is invited to set a target for sales of biocontrol products. The compromise amendments propose a revision of the regulation in order to speed up authorisation procedures for biological substances. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)