Alexander Bernhuber, environmental spokesman for the ÖVP in the European Parliament, is to represent the interests of EU agriculture in the negotiations to revise the EU Pesticides Regulation. From autumn, the European Parliament will be intensively negotiated about the future handling of plant protection products.
Bernhuber already criticizes the EU Commission’s proposal, which includes a blanket reduction target of 50% for plant protection products by 2030 and an almost total ban on plant protection products in sensitive areas such as Natura2000.
“I will clearly oppose blanket reductions in pesticides,” Bernhuber said combatively even before the negotiations started. “I expect a factual, and not an emotional discussion. Pesticides are still an essential element for the necessary protection against pests and diseases. A targeted use of pesticides is essential to secure the food supply.”
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“If the plants are not sufficiently fertilized and treated and the weather conditions become more and more extreme, drastic yield losses can be expected in the coming years. With the effects of the war, blanket reductions are unthinkable. EU agriculture needs a full toolbox for security of supply. Europe needs more food production, not less,” [Bernhuber explained]
[Editor’s note: This article has been translated from German and edited for clarity.]
