Press releases
Hamburg
On 22 June the European Parliament’s Environment Committee will vote on new EU provisions on the authorisation and marketing of hazardous products like wood preservatives and insecticide sprays. But leading environmental and health campaign groups, Pesticide Action Network Germany, PAN Europe, and Women in Europe for a Common Future (WECF), fear that MEPs may lack the courage to ban all highly hazardous products, a move campaigners see as essential to protect consumers and the environment.
As Christmas approaches, PAN Europe has asked if the fresh food on Europe's dining tables is safe. Its survey, in four EU countries this autumn, shows that most produce sampled had multiple traces of harmful pesticides, often several times maximum permitted doses.
"The European Commission has endangered public health for many years by failing to protect food supplies from excessive pesticide contamination."
Environmental campaigners have expressed qualified support for today's official signing by the European Parliament of an historic set of laws on pesticides.
In one of the final legislative acts of the 2004-2009 Parliamentary session, soon to adjourn prior to elections in June, the European Parliament today confirmed its support for a new deal on EU pesticides legislation.
Largest ever supermarket survey reveals dangerous levels of pesticides in grapes; LIDL is Europe's greenest supermarket
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.
Fruits, vegetables and cereals sold throughout the European Union contain record levels of pesticides - according to an official report to be published later this month.
From 1 September 2008, the maximum legal limits on the level of pesticides allowed in food items sold in the EU will dramatically increase.
The UK government is today participating in a media initiative aimed at attacking proposed European legislation that would remove the most hazardous pesticides from food produce grown in the EU.
