EU scientists contest anti-pesticide legislation

Scientists from across the EU presented a petition to the European parliament today (Monday, 8 December) to express their concern at the rate at which crop protection products are being removed from the market.

The group of 72 independent and government scientists said that fewer active ingredients would inevitably lead to problems, as pests that were regularly treated with just a single product would develop resistance

"European agriculture is not in a position to be losing more active ingredients," said Prof John Lucas, head of plant pathology at Rothamsted Research, who delivered the petition. "We fear that we will not be able to replace the substances banned at the speed that policymakers believe.