The Crop Protection Association (CPA) has welcomed the UK Environment Secretary’s support for a science-based and proportionate approach to EU pesticide regulation.
In a speech at the National Farmers Union conference, the Environment Secretary Elizabeth Truss announced the government’s long term economic plan for food and farming.
The Secretary of State said: “Decisions on pesticide use must be proportionate and based on the science. We must make sure our farmers have access to the latest science and technology.”
Speaking after the first day of the conference, Nick von Westenholz, CEO of the Crop Protection Association (CPA) said: “We welcome the support of the Secretary of State in lobbying the EU commission for an approach to pesticide regulation that is proportionate and science based.
“The Secretary of State’s speech, along with the NFU’s priority policy ask for risk based assessments of plant protection products[2], shows that there is growing consensus in the UK around the issue of pesticide use and regulation. Government, industry and farmers all recognise the importance of crop protection products in securing a safe and affordable supply of food.
“The challenge now is to make the case to European policy-makers that seem preoccupied with risk avoidance rather than risk management, stifling innovation in the process.”
