05 November 2008
Parliament reaches compromise on health and environment
Following months of political negotiations, the Parliamentary Committee on the
Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) today voted on proposals
for a Regulation and Framework Directive on the use and authorisation of
pesticides. The Committee backed away from previous commitments to
eliminate hazardous pesticides from use in food produce, instead agreeing a
substantially diluted set of proposals.
The compromise position adopted by the Committee could among other things
see some of the most hazardous pesticides withdrawn from use in food
production. However, a complex set of loopholes and derogations now added
to the text could bring substantial delays in replacing the worst pesticides.
'Leading environmental health experts agree that Europe needs better
legislation to protect public health from exposure to hazardous pesticides -
especially neurotoxins and endocrine disruptors,' said Monica Guarinoni,
Deputy Director of Health and Environment Alliance. 'Parliament should have
maintained the same level of commitment on protecting health as was agreed
12 months ago, especially in light of the Parliament's own study which
highlights the health benefits of elimination of the most hazardous pesticides.'
Prior to the vote, politicians complained about misinformation from the
pesticides industry. 'The pesticides industry has played a major role in scaring
people away from better protection for public health and the environment', said
Elliott Cannell, Coordinator of PAN Europe. 'As a direct consequence many
politicians are now voting for weaker legislation. We must fight to make sure
everyone has the correct information regarding these proposals.
Media contacts:
Elliott Cannell,
Coordinator, PAN Europe
Monica Guarinoni,
Deputy Director, HEAL
— ENDS —
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