This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/7825552.stm

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Farmers fear EU pesticide rules Euro MPs back pesticide controls
(about 5 hours later)
Strict new European rules on the use of pesticides are expected to be passed which could "seriously threaten" UK food production, say farmers. The European Parliament has voted to tighten rules on pesticide use and ban at least 22 chemicals deemed harmful to human health.
The British government opposes the law, expected to be passed on Tuesday, which critics say would cause rising prices. The UK government, the Conservatives and the National Farmers' Union all oppose the new rules, saying they could hit yields and increase food prices.
It could wipe out the carrot industry and seriously affect many other crops, the National Farmers' Union has warned. The rules have not yet been approved by the 27 member states' governments.
However, the Soil Association backs the EU's bid to cut the use of chemicals it says can cause cancer and infertility. The draft law would ban substances that can cause cancer or that can harm human reproduction or hormones.
The association's policy director Peter Melchett said organic farmers had proven that crops could be grown with minimal use of pesticides. UK farmers say the law would "seriously threaten" UK food production. It could wipe out the carrot industry and seriously affect many other crops, the National Farmers' Union has warned.
Certain pesticides are particularly useful in Britain to combat diseases associated with wet weather, such as potato blight.
Protecting public spaces
Under the new rules, any use of pesticides near schools, parks or hospitals would be either banned or severely restricted. Wholesale aerial crop-spraying would also be banned. It's a victory for the Greens and environmentalists Monica FrassoniItalian Green MEP
Buffer zones would also be mandatory to protect aquatic environments and drinking water from pesticides.
The Soil Association backs the EU's bid to cut the use of chemicals it says can cause cancer and infertility.
The association's policy director, Peter Melchett, said organic farmers had proven that crops could be grown with minimal use of pesticides.
"The vast majority of farmers don't use these chemicals on a regular basis anyway and those few farmers who do use them can find alternatives," he said."The vast majority of farmers don't use these chemicals on a regular basis anyway and those few farmers who do use them can find alternatives," he said.
Italian Green MEP Monica Frassoni said the vote was "a victory for the Greens and environmentalists, who managed collectively to resist enormous pressure (from industry)".
'Major concern''Major concern'
But National Farmers' Union deputy president Meurig Raymond said members "could be facing a difficult future with our agriculture and food production seriously threatened" if the law was passed. It is ludicrous that we would bring in a law that would put our crops in real danger Robert Sturdy MEP Reporter's diary - life as an MEP But National Farmers' Union deputy president Meurig Raymond said members "could be facing a difficult future with our agriculture and food production seriously threatened". It is ludicrous that we would bring in a law that would put our crops in real danger Robert Sturdy MEP Reporter's diary - life as an MEP
"The lack of sound science behind the plans is a major concern," he said."The lack of sound science behind the plans is a major concern," he said.
"We cannot support measures which reduce the tools available to farmers and growers to produce crops and that could ultimately jeopardise future food supply and security.""We cannot support measures which reduce the tools available to farmers and growers to produce crops and that could ultimately jeopardise future food supply and security."
British Labour MEP Glenis Willmott however pointed to an important safeguard clause in the package. It says a substance needed to tackle a serious danger to plant health can be approved for up to five years, even if that substance does not meet the new safety criteria.
Changes in the way pesticides are authorised for use on crops are part of an EU goal to halve the use of toxic products in farming by 2013.Changes in the way pesticides are authorised for use on crops are part of an EU goal to halve the use of toxic products in farming by 2013.
The plans include assessing products for protecting plants on the basis of "perceived hazard", instead of scientific evidence.The plans include assessing products for protecting plants on the basis of "perceived hazard", instead of scientific evidence.
Farmers would also be banned from using chemicals which affect a cell's genetics, or are carcinogenic or toxic. Manufacturers' pressure
But the proposals have already been scaled back after Europe's pesticides industry warned the new standards would remove from the market products that had been used without problems for years. The proposals have already been scaled back after Europe's pesticides industry warned they would remove from the market products that had been used without problems for years.
Certain pesticides are particularly useful in Britain to combat diseases associated with wet weather such as potato blight. Most pesticides currently on the market will be valid until at least 2015, giving pesticide manufacturers time to reformulate their products.
A Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs spokesman said: "We believe the proposals could hit crop yields without noticeable benefit for human health. Even so, Environment Secretary Hilary Benn said the regulations could hit agricultural production in the UK without producing a recognisable benefit to human health.
"We've done our own impact assessment on the matter but the European Commission has not." "We are being asked to agree to something here when nobody knows what the impact will be," he said.
"While we have managed to secure some improvements surrounding the use of certain pesticides, the UK does not support these proposals."
Conservative MEPs say almost a quarter of produce will be lost in the UK alone if the plans go through, including the total carrot yield and 20% of cereal production.Conservative MEPs say almost a quarter of produce will be lost in the UK alone if the plans go through, including the total carrot yield and 20% of cereal production.
Impact assessment
Along with Labour counterparts, they are calling for a full impact assessment of the proposed changes before the measures are approved.Along with Labour counterparts, they are calling for a full impact assessment of the proposed changes before the measures are approved.
Conservative Robert Sturdy MEP said: "We must have safer pesticides that are used responsibly but banning products that are safe when used correctly will add to already volatile food prices and food shortages.Conservative Robert Sturdy MEP said: "We must have safer pesticides that are used responsibly but banning products that are safe when used correctly will add to already volatile food prices and food shortages.
"Food security is already becoming a pressing issue, so it is ludicrous that we would bring in a law that would put our crops in real danger.""Food security is already becoming a pressing issue, so it is ludicrous that we would bring in a law that would put our crops in real danger."
According to BBC News's environment correspondent, Sarah Mukherjee, scientists are already concerned that insects are becoming more resistant to those pesticides that are available.
If the plans go through, the majority of pesticides currently on the market will be valid until at least 2015, giving pesticide manufacturers time to reformulate their products.