The revision of the directive on the sustainable use of plant protection products (SU – 2009/128/EC) was eagerly awaited by the EU farming community. With SUR being a landmark policy item of the Farm to Fork communication, Copa and Cogeca expected a balanced approach presenting not only already known targets but also precise solutions and alternatives to achieve these objectives. The proposal published today that became a regulation from a directive, still does not answer these interrogations in an ever-pressing international context faced with a global food security challenge.
The two main targets promoted in the regulation presented by the European Commission today were already well known since the launch of the Farm to Fork strategy, namely the reduction of use and risk of chemical pesticides by 50% and the use of more hazardous pesticides by 50% by 2030. The consequences of their enforcement, cumulated with the other targets of the farming Green Deal, have been discussed in many studies since 2020, all pointing to a risk of reduction and/or relocation of part of our food production. The final proposal presented today by the Commission goes beyond the 2020 announcements by featuring binding targets at European level and targets at national level. The ambition of the proposed targets contrasts with the little information on the solutions, technical alternatives, and support framework for farmers which will lead to legislation shortcomings on-farm.
The European farming community supports the global objective of reducing plant protection products. To do so, European farmers and Agri-cooperatives need to be provided with available, safe, effective and affordable tools still to be developed following cutting-edge scientific progress. Focusing on stricter rules will not solve the underlying problems for plant protection: banning different products without having sufficient effective alternatives is not an efficient approach. It is essential that EU farmers are provided with reasonable transition periods, during which the supplying sector can bring new alternative products to the market, with special attention to minor crops production.
Farmers currently apply Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in their fields and welcome the harmonisation of the framework proposed by the Commission in its review despite the administrative burden that it may generate. However, the lack of proper alternatives to chemicals for plant protection is pushing farmers to rely on emergency authorisations which, although encouraged by the Commission, are not always granted by national authorities in a timely manner. The 2030 deadline is only 8 years away and it takes an average of 10 to 15 years for some of the low-risk tools envisaged (i.e. Biocontrol) to reach the market. In this context, it is of the utmost importance to implement a real simplification, speeding-up, and differentiation of the registration of low-impact PPPs and pest control solutions from chemical-related procedures. Copa and Cogeca take note of the European Commission’s intention to integrate targets for the development of alternative, non-chemical plant protection methods by 2030 in their National Action Plans. This may increase the availability of low-impact and effective crop protection solutions for farmers in a timely and affordable manner.
Still, this proposal sorely lacks a framework that neutralises the negative side effects and guarantees the competitiveness and resilience of the EU agricultural sector before setting a legally binding target. This is not realistic, and it could be very detrimental for the continuity of farming activities in the EU. Even more so because on other continents farming communities will not be imposed the same rules.
Finally, in view of the multiplication of initiatives within the framework of Farm to Fork, Fit for 55 or the Biodiversity strategy, and in view of the accumulation of international crises, Copa and Cogeca reiterate the urgent need for a global study on the impact the European Green Deal has on agriculture. The effects of these regulations will be felt simultaneously and cumulatively on our farms. Given the current geopolitical circumstances, it is essential that we keep our yields stable and produce enough high-quality products to contribute to the world food security. Copa and Cogeca will therefore be attentive to the development of an ‘analysis on food security drivers’ as announced by the Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, Stella Kyriakides today.
Artigo publicado originalmente em Copa Cogeca.