On Monday 26 January, Europe’s agriculture ministers gave a mixed reception to proposed measures aimed at simplifying food safety rules (see EUROPE 13774/15, 13781/4).
On the subject of maximum residue levels (MRLs), the French minister, Annie Genevard, took a firm stance, arguing that the lowering of the detection threshold should automatically apply to substances banned in the European Union for reasons of human health or environmental protection.
The Italian minister, Francesco Lollobrigida, defended the principle of zero tolerance for pesticide residues from third countries.
Spain proposed withdrawing the regulations governing the marketing of plant protection products from the simplification package, which it considers to be too complex, while calling for the rules applicable to imports to be tightened up.
Romania and the Czech Republic insisted on the absence of effective alternatives to combat certain pests and asked for controlled derogations to avoid significant losses for farmers.
Denmark supported initiatives to facilitate access to low-risk pesticides, while favouring the current approach based on assessments by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).
Germany’s Alois Rainer expressed concern about the potential trade barriers the package could create.
Drones. Several Member States (including France, Spain, Portugal, Latvia and Hungary) supported opening up the regulatory framework to the use of drones. Spain’s Luis Planas called the four-year timeframe for regulating the use of drones excessive.
Treated seeds. Finland, Poland, Estonia and Lithuania have expressed reservations about the provisions relating to treated seed.
The European Commissioner for Health, Oliver Várhelyi, presented the package of measures adopted by the College of Commissioners last December. In his view, the proposal provides for faster market access for biological protection substances and innovative plant protection products, as well as an alignment of the rules applicable to imports, particularly with regard to pesticide residues banned in the EU. It also paves the way for the targeted use of drones for the application of plant protection products where this provides real added value, and provides for the temporary maintenance of certain chemical substances in the absence of alternatives for farmers.
Finally, Mr Várhelyi called for rapid adoption of the text, ideally before the end of the first half of 2026. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)