On Thursday 18 December, the European Parliament failed to adopt a resolution from its Committee on Environment opposing the European Commission’s draft regulation to increase the maximum residue limits (MRLs) for acetamiprid in honey from 0.3 mg/kg to 1 mg/kg.
An absolute majority was required to validate the objection. However, the Commission’s proposal received only 328 votes in favour (177 against and 39 abstentions), whereas 365 votes were required to oppose it.
Acetamiprid is used as an insecticide. The draft resolution called on the Commission to withdraw its draft regulation on MRLs for acetamiprid residues and to submit a new text lowering the MRLs, in accordance with the precautionary principle.
Christophe Clergeau (S&D, French) deplored the outcome of the vote, saying it was a “missed opportunity to defend our beekeepers and all our farmers against unfair competition”. Marie Toussaint (Greens/EFA, French) felt that the European Commission had “lost its sense of responsibility”, given that this pesticide “should be banned”. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)