NFU Scotland’s fear that a European Parliament committee would drive forward with controversial proposals on plant protection products has been realised.

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The proposals, which could see a significant number of pesticides, fungicides and insecticides eventually removed from the shelf, will now pass to the European Parliament’s plenary meetings in December or January when all 785 MEPs will decide whether or not to adopt them.

The Environment Committee in the European Parliament voted on amendments to two proposed pieces of legislation today (Wednesday, 5 November). These relate to the sustainable use of pesticides and the placing of plant protection products on the market. Early indications are that most of the voting positions favoured by the UK have been rejected and that, from the UK’s perspective, proposals have taken a serious turn for the worse.

Commenting on the news, NFU Scotland President Jim McLaren said:

“The outcome of today’s meeting in Europe is a real step backwards. While a severe disappointment, the fight goes on to convince more politicians that these proposals have significant ramifications for the quality and quantity of food that we may be able to grow in the future and that they must be rejected.

“We remain committed to turning this around when all 785 MEPs meet in the next few months. In the Environment committee today, more than 60 MEPs voted on the amendments with less than 40 in favour. Although these proposals have been in train for some considerable time, more than a third of the committee appear to think that what is now on the table is unacceptable. We would echo that.

“Our members can rest assured that our resolve to fight for a common sense outcome on these proposals is undiminished. We believe that we already have Scotland’s MEPs on side. Along with our Brussels office, we plan to use the coming weeks to meet as many MEPs from other member states as possible in the hope of convincing them of the folly of the proposals.”

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