EU Environmental Watchdog Criticises Calls to Stall Pesticides Cut
European Environment Agency says Ukraine crisis cannot be used to justify delay
April 26, 2023 | Source: The Guardian | by Arthur Neslen
The EU’s environmental watchdog has hit back at calls to stall a 50% cut in the use and risks of synthetic pesticides and a 20% cut in fertiliser use by 2030, arguing that the Ukraine crisis provides scant justification for delay.
EU states with the backing of powerful farm unions and centre-right parties have blocked the proposed pesticide reform unless the European Commission completes a second impact study by 28 June to assuage food security fears.
Among campaigners and scientists, anxieties are rife that the bloc’s flagship green farming pledge could be unceremoniously buried.
Dario Piselli, a European Environment Agency (EEA) expert and author of a new analysis published on Wednesday, said there were “compelling” reasons not to hesitate further with the draft law.