European Parliament dismisses Commission’s bill to curb pesticide use

23 Nov 2023 --- The European Parliament has rejected the Commission’s proposal to reduce the sustainable use of plant protection products around Europe. This comes a week after the use of the contentious chemical pesticide glyphosate in the 27-nation bloc was extended for ten more years.

Following a debate on Tuesday, 299 MEPs voted against the bill, 207 advocated it, while 121 refrained from voting.

The vote marks the closure of the first reading by the Parliament, while the Council contemplates whether it is definitively rejected or returns to Parliament for a second reading.

Last June, Food Ingredients First reported the Commission’s proposal of a regulation on the sustainable use of plant protection products to lessen the ecological impact of the EU’s food system as part of the European Green Deal. 

Amid food supply pressures, it unveiled its plans to restore damaged ecosystems and bring nature back across Europe by reducing the use and risk of chemical pesticides by 50% by 2030.

Ruffling feathers
Following yesterday’s announcement, Rapporteur MEP Sarah Wiener called it “a very dark day for the environment and farmers.” She added that most MEPs have prioritized big agricultural companies’ profits over children’s and the planet’s health.

The move has also amassed discontent from environmentalists and organic movements.

Environmentalists have voiced their displeasure with the announcement.Eric Gall, deputy director of IFOAM Organics Europe, condemns the European Parliament’s “watering down and rejection” of the pesticide reduction regulation.

“Policymakers’ lack of political will to take action to reduce pesticides makes it even more obvious that developing organic farming is the best way to protect people’s health and nature from toxic pesticides.”

Furthermore, Slow Food, which defends biodiversity, ecosystems and the rights of farmers, said that despite the broad scientific and public consensus on the need to phase out pesticides, the initially ambitious Commission regulation proposal has been strongly “watered-down” with the adoption of amendments suppressing national binding targets and rules for integrated pest management. 

Madeleine Coste, Slow Food advocacy director, states: “A majority in the Parliament has decided to side with the agroindustry and its allies, who have lobbied against this proposal over the last two years, ignoring the scientific consensus on the need to transform our current food system.”

“It is outrageous that scientists’ and citizens’ voices are ignored in this way and a worrying prospect for the fate of the EU Farm to Fork Strategy and the transition to sustainable food systems.”

Organic approach the way out?
In line with the European Green Deal’s vision to halve pesticide use by 2030, organic variants of pesticides are being hailed as promising natural alternatives. 

According to IFOAM Organics Europe, the rampant use of synthetic pesticides represents a “significant burden” on the health of European citizens, and farmers in particular. Synthetic pesticides are also the leading cause of the disappearance of birds and insects in the European countryside and are hugely responsible for polluting the waters with toxic substances.

“Organic farming is the proof that it is possible to produce sufficient quality food without relying on synthetic pesticides,” notes the organic movement.

“The organic approach to plant health care is mostly based on preventive and indirect agronomic measures, such as crop rotations, to manage pests and diseases, which can be complemented when needed for some crops with biocontrol solutions such as natural substances, most of which easily degrade in the environment.”

Organic farming uses crop rotation to manage pests and disease with biocontrol solutions.Based on IFOAM’s investigation earlier this year, over half (55%) of the 256 active substances in mostly synthetic pesticides permitted in conventional agriculture carry health or environmental hazard warnings. Organic agriculture fares much better, with only 3% of the 134 natural, active substances permitted having similar warnings.

But, this should not encourage the unabashed use of organic pesticides. Earlier this year, the European Crop Protection Association warned of “ecological trade-offs implied by an increase of organic agriculture.” This happens due to the abundance of organic fertilizer being used across massive land areas to maintain the current level of productivity.

Glyphosate debate continues
Glyphosate, an ingredient in common weed killers, has been a concern for the EU for quite some time. Experts and environmentalists are worried about the impact of regular use of the chemical on nutrition and food security, fearing it may be toxic.

WHO also described glyphosate as a “probable human carcinogen” in 2015, with most scientists agreeing that it adversely affects health, biodiversity, soil life and water quality.

In response to the concerns regarding the toxicity of glyphosate, earlier this month, an EC spokesperson told us that that the Commission is proposing to member states to renew the approval of glyphosate under strict conditions such as prohibition for pre-harvest use as a desiccant and adoption of certain measures to protect non-target organisms.

By Insha Naureen