Brussels, 05/11/2008 (Agence Europe) - In its second reading, the European Parliament's environment committee confirmed on Wednesday 5 November, its very tough line on strict control of the marketing of phyto-pharmaceutical products (report by Hiltrud Breyer, German Greens) and strict rules guaranteeing the sustainable use of pesticides in the EU (report by Christa Klass, EPP-ED, Germany). MEPs want a positive list of active authorised substances to be set up at a European level and member states to be able to decide authorisation of new pesticides containing these substances. The committee also wants carcinogenic substances and those that disturb the endocrine system or which are toxic or genotoxic to the reproduction system, including substances presenting a high risk to the immune and neurological system to be banned. A substance that does not meet safety criteria but which might be necessary for fighting serious plant health threats can, however, be approved for a maximum of four years. The committee again rejected authorisation of new products from large geographical zones. Following the line of Ms Klass, a compromise amendment was adopted so that national action plans for reducing the use of pesticides include an objective to reduce very worrying, very toxic or toxic substances by 50%. (A.N./trans/rh)