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EU pesticide bans 'could hit UK crops' | EU pesticide bans 'could hit UK crops' |
(1 day later) | |
The EU's decision to ban the use of some pesticides could threaten UK crops, increase food prices and hit farmers' profits, a report has claimed. | The EU's decision to ban the use of some pesticides could threaten UK crops, increase food prices and hit farmers' profits, a report has claimed. |
The report commissioned by three farming bodies said the EU was on course to "ban" use of 40 chemicals by 2020 to reduce environmental damage. | The report commissioned by three farming bodies said the EU was on course to "ban" use of 40 chemicals by 2020 to reduce environmental damage. |
It said this could lead to a surge in pests, affecting production of apples, carrots and peas, among other crops. | It said this could lead to a surge in pests, affecting production of apples, carrots and peas, among other crops. |
Conservation groups said reducing pesticides would help the environment. | Conservation groups said reducing pesticides would help the environment. |
The independent report was carried out by business consultants Andersons and jointly commissioned by the National Farmers' Union (NFU), the Crop Protection Association (CPA) and the Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC). | The independent report was carried out by business consultants Andersons and jointly commissioned by the National Farmers' Union (NFU), the Crop Protection Association (CPA) and the Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC). |
EU ban | EU ban |
The European Parliament voted in 2009 to tighten rules on pesticide use and ban at least 22 chemicals deemed harmful to human health. | The European Parliament voted in 2009 to tighten rules on pesticide use and ban at least 22 chemicals deemed harmful to human health. |
The move banned substances that could cause cancer or harm human reproduction or hormones. | The move banned substances that could cause cancer or harm human reproduction or hormones. |
At the time, the UK government, the Conservatives and the NFU all opposed the new rules, saying they could hit yields and increase food prices. | At the time, the UK government, the Conservatives and the NFU all opposed the new rules, saying they could hit yields and increase food prices. |
The report said that as current licences lapsed and tighter rules meant they would not be re-approved, some 40 chemicals would be banned within the next decade. | The report said that as current licences lapsed and tighter rules meant they would not be re-approved, some 40 chemicals would be banned within the next decade. |
The report claimed the changes would affect: | The report claimed the changes would affect: |
Alongside the impact on crops, the report suggested it could cause a drop in farming profits of £1.7bn, more imports and higher food prices. | Alongside the impact on crops, the report suggested it could cause a drop in farming profits of £1.7bn, more imports and higher food prices. |
Nick von Westenholz, CPA chief executive officer, said the report provided "a clear picture of the implications of the flawed system that governs pesticide use in the EU". | Nick von Westenholz, CPA chief executive officer, said the report provided "a clear picture of the implications of the flawed system that governs pesticide use in the EU". |
NFU vice-president Guy Smith said EU restrictions were having a "negative impact" on UK food production. | NFU vice-president Guy Smith said EU restrictions were having a "negative impact" on UK food production. |
"It is absolutely essential that farmers have regulation that is risk-based and that it follows sound science to ensure the farming sector keeps growing and contributing to the £97bn UK food and drink industry," he said. | "It is absolutely essential that farmers have regulation that is risk-based and that it follows sound science to ensure the farming sector keeps growing and contributing to the £97bn UK food and drink industry," he said. |
"For this to happen we need government at both UK and EU level to put British food production at the heart of policy-making across all government departments." | "For this to happen we need government at both UK and EU level to put British food production at the heart of policy-making across all government departments." |
David Hutchinson, AIC strategy group member, said: "This report highlights the serious effects of policy and regulatory decisions that are not based on sound science." | David Hutchinson, AIC strategy group member, said: "This report highlights the serious effects of policy and regulatory decisions that are not based on sound science." |
He said science "often came second", adding: "In the meantime farming and the wider economy of our food industry will continue to suffer and be placed at an ever increasing competitive disadvantage to those countries outside the EU." | He said science "often came second", adding: "In the meantime farming and the wider economy of our food industry will continue to suffer and be placed at an ever increasing competitive disadvantage to those countries outside the EU." |
'Crying wolf' | 'Crying wolf' |
A spokesman for the European Commission said the new rules were introduced to "ensure a high level of protection for human and animal health, the environment, whilst safeguarding the competitiveness of EU agriculture". | A spokesman for the European Commission said the new rules were introduced to "ensure a high level of protection for human and animal health, the environment, whilst safeguarding the competitiveness of EU agriculture". |
He said the Commission was carrying out an impact assessment and would consider the findings of the Andersons study. | He said the Commission was carrying out an impact assessment and would consider the findings of the Andersons study. |
But he added: "An initial assessment of this study suggests that the predicted losses are overestimated." | But he added: "An initial assessment of this study suggests that the predicted losses are overestimated." |
Several conservation groups were critical of the report. | Several conservation groups were critical of the report. |
Keith Tyrell, of the Pesticide Action Network, said it was "scaremongering nonsense" and farmers were "crying wolf". | Keith Tyrell, of the Pesticide Action Network, said it was "scaremongering nonsense" and farmers were "crying wolf". |
He said a bigger threat to apples and other flowering crop yields was the "likelihood" that pesticides were killing pollinators like bees. | He said a bigger threat to apples and other flowering crop yields was the "likelihood" that pesticides were killing pollinators like bees. |
Friends of the Earth nature campaigner Paul de Sylva said: "Intensive use of chemicals is harming bees and other wildlife and the quality of out water and soils. That is the real threat to food security." | Friends of the Earth nature campaigner Paul de Sylva said: "Intensive use of chemicals is harming bees and other wildlife and the quality of out water and soils. That is the real threat to food security." |
A spokesperson for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said: "We agree that pesticides need regulating to ensure people and the environment are protected - but decisions must be based on the real risks so our farmers are not needlessly stopped from using appropriate products to protect their crops. | |
"That's why we are continuing to press for improvements in the way Europe regulates pesticides and pushing for a standard approach across the European Union." | |
Some independent commentators on food and farming said pesticides were a "necessary evil" to produce cheap food. | Some independent commentators on food and farming said pesticides were a "necessary evil" to produce cheap food. |
Consumers must decide if some environmental damage was the price they were willing to pay for low bills at the checkout, they said. | Consumers must decide if some environmental damage was the price they were willing to pay for low bills at the checkout, they said. |