NFU joins forces with German farmers on pesticides

The NFU and its German counterpart, the Deutscher Bauernverband (DBV) have agreed to co-ordinate lobbying efforts on proposed EU legislation on pesticides at a high-level meeting in London this week. The DBV is the largest farming union in Germany and has worked very closely with the UK NFUs on a number of issues in the past. MEPs are expected to hold their first oral debate on the pesticides Thematic Strategy package next week in the European Parliament's Environment Committee, following the adoption of the Council's common position earlier this year.

Both organisations are concerned about the possible impact of the legislation on the substances available to farmers and growers and will be lobbying MEPs during their second reading this autumn. The meeting also explored common ground on the future of the CAP and reaffirmed the two organisation's commitment to defeat attempts to reignite proposals for a Soils Directive.