Brussels threatens availability of pesticides

Legislation from Brussels on pesticides could have wide-reaching effects on UK horticulture, crop yield and food prices.

EU representatives have agreed to increase restrictions for pesticides - already one of the most heavily regulated groups - despite NFU and British Government calls for Brussels to assess the impact of the plans.

The NFU believes the proposals, part of the Thematic Strategy on Pesticides, will have devastating effects on some sectors like horticulture by reducing the crop protection products available to farmers.

At a time when food security and food prices are issues, it says the move will reduce crop yield and quality and force up prices for other household staples such as potatoes and broccoli. And the effects will not be restricted to the horticulture industry. The decision will have a wide-reaching impact across all sectors, including combinable crops where key fungicides could be lost.

Vice President Paul Temple is calling for farmers to write to their MEPs expressing concern and urging them to vote against the legislation in full European Parliament on January 12.

Mr Temple said: "Only last week Prime Minister Gordon Brown said it was unfortunate that few other Member States appeared to have examined the impacts of these proposals as carefully as the UK.

"He said he remained concerned the committee was continuing to press for changes which could damage agriculture and food production without securing meaningful benefits for health or the environment.

"I am also concerned over the lack of sound science behind the plans and we cannot support measures which reduce the tools available to farmers and growers to produce crops - particularly at a time when we need to be increasing food production, not restricting it.

"We are calling on farmers to write to their locals MEPs and ask them to reject this deal at the plenary vote which will take place in Strasbourg in early January."