ECPA ‘Disappointed’ With Parliament Vote

By Scott C. Lucas|20 September 2007

ECPA does not support the Committee’s decision to prohibit approval of certain agrochemical active ingredients based on potential hazards without evaluating whether or not they pose risks in real-use situations. "This approach would lead to the disappearance of many substances that have long been used safely by farmers and which farmers need to protect their crops from disease," ECPA said in a release. Instead, ECPA believes that concerns should continue to be addressed in a "sound scientific manner and as part of a detailed scientific evaluation."

The removal of the existing system of rapid national authorizations for products containing new substances would increase the time to market by an estimated three years, if not more. Not only will this discourage investment in the EU, but it will also slow down the introduction of new and innovative products to EU farmers, ECPA said.

ECPA’s Regulatory Affairs Director, Euros Jones, commented: "Today’s vote is a major setback for the principles of sound science and rational decision making. Being the responsible Committee in Parliament, the Environment Committee has not struck a balanced approach between safeguarding both human health and environmental protection with the basic need to protect our food production. This approach would severely reduce the available solutions from the already dwindling plant protection toolbox for European farmers." lable."

The next step will be the vote in the Plenary Session of the Parliament, scheduled for October.