Public Hearing of the Committee on Economic Cooperation and Development on Plant Protection Products Not Authorized in the EU
November 6, 2024
On Wednesday, November 6, 2024, the Committee on Economic Cooperation and Development (ECODEV) of the European Union held a public hearing on the issue of plant protection products that are not authorized for use within the EU. The hearing was attended by a wide range of stakeholders, including representatives from the agricultural industry, environmental organizations, and consumer protection groups.
The hearing was opened by ECODEV Chairman, Klaus Hedegaard, who emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety of food and the environment. He stated that the EU has a rigorous regulatory framework in place to ensure that only safe and effective plant protection products are authorized for use.
However, Hedegaard acknowledged that there are concerns about the potential negative impacts of plant protection products on human health and the environment. He said that the hearing was an opportunity to gather information and perspectives from all stakeholders in order to inform the committee’s future work on this issue.
The first panel of speakers included representatives from the European Crop Protection Association (ECPA), the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), and the European Environment Agency (EEA). ECPA representatives argued that plant protection products are essential for protecting crops from pests and diseases and that the EU’s regulatory framework is sufficient to ensure their safety. EFSA representatives presented data on the safety of authorized plant protection products and explained the scientific process used to evaluate new products. EEA representatives presented data on the environmental impacts of plant protection products and called for measures to reduce their use.
The second panel of speakers included representatives from consumer protection groups, environmental organizations, and farmers’ organizations. Consumer protection groups expressed concerns about the potential health risks of plant protection products and called for stricter regulation. Environmental organizations called for a ban on the use of synthetic pesticides and herbicides in favor of more sustainable farming practices. Farmers’ organizations emphasized the importance of plant protection products for crop protection and called for a balanced approach that takes into account both the risks and benefits of these products.
Following the panel discussions, members of the committee engaged in a lively debate on the issue. Some members expressed support for a stricter regulatory approach, while others argued that the existing framework is sufficient. Several members also called for more research on the long-term impacts of plant protection products.
The hearing concluded with a statement from Hedegaard, who thanked all of the participants for their contributions. He said that the committee would carefully consider all of the information gathered at the hearing in its future work on this issue.
The public hearing on plant protection products was a valuable opportunity for the Committee on Economic Cooperation and Development to gather information and perspectives from all stakeholders. The committee will now consider this information as it develops its future policy recommendations on this important issue.
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