‘Sustainable’ Use of Pesticides — A Real Threat to Ag. and Amenity
The NAAC is seriously concerned about the recent amendments by the European Parliament’s Environment Committee on the proposal for a directive to achieve a sustainable use of pesticides. The recent development pose a threat to both the amenity and agricultural sectors.
Issues of Concern include:
- a ban on the use of pesticides in all public areas and ‘substantial’ buffer zones alongside public areas (including residential areas) - ‘substantial’ is not defined but the text does mention the use of 2.5 mile buffers in the USA!
- notification of neighbours when spraying (for those who have asked to be informed via a centralized system)
- a system of taxes or levies on pesticides to fund National Action Plans
- a proposal for a European wide tax or levy on all pesticides with the proceeds used to promote low input and organic farming
- compulsory buffer zones of at least 10m alongside watercourses with no flexibility allowed, even for products with aquatic clearance
- mandatory sprayer testing, at least every 5 years
- ban on spraying vertical crops (e.g. hops, orchards) alongside or near watercourses
The NAAC has been very pro-active in recent weeks lobbying in the UK and Brussels against these proposals.
We now ask agricultural and amenity spraying contractors to write to your local MEP (see the
European Parliament website to find your representative) and ask for their support.
We will continue to watch this situation carefully and keep members informed.