Crop protection tools at risk unless EU backs science based decisions

As EU policy-makers finalise the details of new pesticide approval rules, the Crop Protection Association has warned that Europe’s farmers may lose access to vital crop protection products unless decisions are backed by sound science.

Loss of key pesticides could hit crop yields and would be directly at odds with the global imperative, identified in the Government’s recent Foresight report, to raise agricultural productivity in response to the growing food security crisis.

Speaking at the Cereals 2011 event in Lincolnshire, CPA chief executive Dominic Dyer said critical decisions would be made in the months ahead over the application of so-called ’cut-off criteria’ under the EU’s revised pesticide authorisation regulation.

The definition of endocrine disruption in particular is a cause for concern, with many key fungicide products at risk of removal unless a more sensible, evidence and risk-based approach is agreed, he said.

"Faced with mounting concern over population growth, rising food prices and the impact of climate change, effective crop protection is needed to maintain yields and prevent harvest losses," said Mr Dyer.

"The Foresight report has provided a ground-breaking assessment of the factors affecting global food security, concluding unequivocally that agricultural science, including access to the most advanced technologies and innovation, will be essential to meet our future food needs."

Mr Dyer said the Foresight message must be taken to Europe, where policy-makers remained heavily influenced by the anti-technology agenda of environmental NGOs and single-issue groups.

"The urgency of the food security threat is not reflected in the policies emerging from Brussels. Pesticides are already strictly regulated in Europe, and as a result it takes at least 10 years and more than £200 million to bring each new product to market. Unless EU policy-makers agree a framework based on the evidence of risk and not hazard, the new approval rules will stifle innovation in the crop protection sector, and could lead to products being removed faster than they can be developed," warned Mr Dyer.

Alongside the food security response, Mr Dyer also highlighted the vital role of pesticides in safeguarding economic activity, jobs and wealth creation within the EU’s giant food industry.

"Farmers depend on crop protection products to supply high quality raw materials for use throughout the food industry. In the UK alone the food supply chain is worth in excess of £170 billion, employing over four million people and accounting for 10% of the nation’s GDP," he said.

"Without access to effective crop protection, yields could fall by as much as 50%, driving up food costs and increasing our reliance on imports. That would hit consumers’ pockets and undermine a critical part of the European economy.

"The era of cheap food is over, and Europe needs to boost its agricultural productivity to protect key economic activities and keep the lid on food price inflation.

"If this is to be achieved, policy-makers must place greater value on modern, science-based agriculture, including the contribution of a thriving and competitive crop protection industry in Europe," concluded Mr Dyer.