Brussels, 19/12/2007 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 17 December, the agriculture ministers of the EU member states noted political agreement on a common position after first reading of a draft directive establishing a framework for Community action to achieve a sustainable use of pesticides. In a declaration to be annexed to the Council's minutes, the European Commission shows itself to be aware of the difficulties faced by Bulgaria and Romania when seeking to avoid aerial spraying of pesticides (due to their specific geological contours). The directive aims to promote the rational use of pesticides and the use of non-chemical plant protection methods. It provides measures intended to keep users and the general public better informed and measures enabling the impact of pesticides on public health and the environment to be reduced, such as: - a ban on aerial spraying, except in special cases; - the obligation for member states to submit national action plans (providing necessary flexibility for adapting measures to the specific situation of the various member states); - regular inspection of application equipment and measures governing the handling and storage of pesticides, their packaging and remnants; - protection of the aquatic environment and of areas with “sensitive” groups in line with
the Water Framework Directive, the Birds Directive and the Habitats Directive; - measuring progress
in risk reduction through harmonised indicators; - and the establishment of a system of information exchange for continuous development and improvement of appropriate guidance, best practices
and recommendations.
Furthermore, the Council reached a political agreement on a legislative package concerning food improvement agents (additives, enzymes and food flavours). After fine-tuning the text, a common position will be adopted during an upcoming session of the Council before being passed on to the European Parliament for second reading, in line with co-decision procedure. Parliament delivered its first-reading opinion on 10 July on all the regulations and the Commission forwarded the corresponding amended legislative proposals on 24 October, mentioning the amendments that it could not accept. The package on “food improvement agents” aims to ensure the proper operation of the market across the board, in accordance with the “farm to table” concept (labelling), while ensuring the highest level of protection of human health. (L.C.)