On Wednesday, June 22, in Brussels, representatives of the EU member states discussed a plan to preserve the Biodiversity and to reduce the use of pesticides
Although concerns about agricultural productivity are growing in the European Union, the EU Commission's proposals remain in force for 27 countries: First, the use of chemical or hazardous pesticides in the EU will be halved and damaged by 2015 compared to the 2017-2030 period natural ecosystems restored.
Farmers would need to support alternative organic methods of crop protection prevention and keep records detailing the methods. Chemical pesticides can only be used as an extreme measure.
In addition, the new rules foresee a total ban of pesticides in sensitive areas (urban green spaces, sports fields, nature reserves, etc.).
In return, the EU will make adjustments to the single agricultural policy to ensure farmers are compensated for any costs associated with the new rules during the five-year transition period.
The European Commission will also launch an “Action Plan” to develop sustainable alternatives to banned pesticides and precision farming technologies (e.g. geolocated pesticide sprays).
Finally, each government can define its own targets within the European parameters, but must report to the European Commission to take into account national specificities (climate, special relief, efforts already made, etc.).
"The ambition of the targets contrasts with the lack of information on solutions and technical alternatives," responded the agricultural association COPA-COGECA, calling for transition periods of at least ten years and pointing out "the need to increase yields for farmers under the current geopolitical to keep conditions stable”.
Several countries, including France and Italy, fear that a drastic reduction in the use of pesticides and fertilizers and the goal of covering a quarter of the earth for Bio to procure, to a Zusacollapse in European harvests - a scenario Brussels rejects.
"Food safety issues do not make action against pesticides any less urgent, excessive use of agrochemicals poses a serious threat to human health and kills pollinators, responsible for much of our food," said EU Health Commissioner Stella Kiriakides.
Frans Timmermans, Executive Vice President for the European Green Deal, pointed out that it is irresponsible to point to international conflicts as a reason for refusing to reduce pesticides.
The 27 member states will soon discuss measures to reduce residues to zero for two substances from the neonicotinoid group, insecticides that environmentalists say are responsible for the mass death of bees, but which 11 EU countries, including France, have declared a temporary have sanctioned suspension of the ban in 2020-2021.
Brussels also proposed measures to restore damaged ecosystems with an application horizon up to 2050, and declared a goal to restore 80% of Europe's habitats in distress everywhere - from forests and arable land to marine, freshwater and urban ecosystems , including the landscaping of urban centers so that by 2030 at least 20% of land and water areas are covered by nature restoration measures.