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EU Pesticide Rules

January 3rd, 2009 Posted in Organic & Chemical Pesticides

The European Union Charter was founded on the principle that “enjoyment of [basic human] rights entails responsibilities and duties with regard to other persons, to the human community and to future generations.” In the spirit of responsibility, the EU passed legislation that more tightly controls pesticide use.

Many EU farmers support the legislation because it makes EU agriculture more environmentally-friendly and healthier for European consumers.

But other farmers, like many in the United Kingdom, have major reservations.

The Pesticide Ban

The new regulations are relatively conservative in their approach. According to a Beyond Pesticides report quoted by Susie Collins, the legislation states that:

• Farmers and chemical companies must replace the most toxic chemicals with alternatives.
• Pesticides not yet registered with the EU can no longer hold provisional licenses.
• Crop-dusting will be more heavily restricted.
• Pesticide use will be restricted around “sensitive areas” like schools and homes.

These restrictions aren’t a huge change from current standards, but they are a step in the right direction. Many think the EU should go completely organic, just as France has begun to do.

The EU wants to move toward a healthier future. As EU Health Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou said in May 2008, “One of the main aims of the proposal is to maintain a high level of protection for humans, animals and the environment.”

The Controversy

According to “Song for Jasmine” blogger and English native Tony Wildish, the United Kingdom is known to resist EU changes. (Case and point: they still use the pound instead of the Euro.)

Which is why the legislation is coming under fire in much of the UK. Many British farmers fear that the new regulations will cause productivity to drop and prices to rise. In non-economic jargon, this means that UK consumers may choose to buy less expensive imported goods, spelling certain doom for British farming.

For example, farmers fear that it will become so unprofitable to grow carrots in the UK that the British carrot will become “extinct.” My oh my, these farmers are dramatic!

Especially because these fears are unfounded, according to a UK Soil Association report. The report claims that productivity will actually rise slightly and would rise even more if all foods were grown organically. The provisions are not enough, it claims, because if every food was grown organically pesticide usage would fall by 98% and productivity would substantially rise.

If farmers are worried about insects destroying there crops as well, they could take up a natural pesticide to keep the bugs away.

Apparently FDR was right – the only thing these farmers have to fear is fear itself.