Brussels, Belgium
May 7, 2007
The
European Crop Protection Association (ECPA) welcomed the
adoption of a number of proposals by members of the Industry
Committee of the
European Parliament on key plant protection legislation
including the proposals for a Sustainable Use Framework
Directive and for a Regulation concerning the placing of plant
protection products on the market. However, ECPA noted concerns
that the Committee rejected a majority of amendments which would
allow rapid evaluation and authorisation for new and innovative
plant protection products.
Sustainable Use Framework Directive and Communication
ECPA welcomes the Industry
Committee's decisions on several amendments that maintain a
common-sense and workable approach for the use of plant
protection products in the field. In particular, the Committee
voted to base all prohibitions and restrictions on the use of
plant protection products in sensitive areas on thorough risk
assessments.
Nevertheless, the agreement that Member States may introduce a
tax or levy on plant protection products and that non-chemical
techniques would have a privileged status within Integrated Pest
Management (IPM) were deemed problematic.
Proposal for a Regulation concerning the placing of plant
protection products on the market
ECPA greeted the Committee's decision on parallel imports,
calling for product identity and prohibiting repackaging. Also,
amendments were adopted that would facilitate the authorisation
process of products for minor crops.
Unfortunately, proposals that would have led to better data
protection for companies willing to invest in new innovative
products and suggestions regarding faster access for farmers to
these products were rejected.
The next step in the process will be the votes in the
responsible Environment Committee -- 5 June on the proposals for
the Framework Directive and 17 July for the Regulation.
The European Crop Protection
Association (ECPA) is the pan-European voice of the crop
protection industry. Its membership includes both national
associations and companies throughout Europe, including Central
and Eastern Europe.
In addition to traditional crop protection products such as
herbicides, fungicides and insecticides, our members also
provide biopesticides and genetically modified crops. This broad
range of products provides many benefits and is available for
use in agriculture, horticulture, forestry and gardening.
ECPA represents an innovative industry that is continually
striving to provide science-based solutions to meet the demand
for increasingly higher environmental and health standards. ECPA
is a member of CropLife International. |
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