Brussels, 12/04/2000 (Agence Europe) - The Union and the United States have launched a pilot project for the parallel evaluation of a new herbicide used in the production of corn. This experiment, announced by the European Commission, is intended to identify similarities and differences between US and EU evaluation procedures for plant protection products. It could also "clear the way for improved cooperation in sharing the heavy burden of pesticides evaluation", said the spokesperson. An Aventis product, Foramsulforon, will serve as precedent to compare the data requirements, data evaluation and regulatory processes of both sides; this choice rests on an agreement between the Commission, the German authorities responsible for the evaluation at EU level, the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the company producing the herbicide. American and European legislations are seemingly very close. On this side of the Atlantic, Directive 91/414/EEC on plant protection products requires a detailed evaluation of the chemical substance used in a new plant protection product being made before its use can be authorised.