This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/7825552.stm
The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Farmers fear EU pesticide rules | Farmers fear EU pesticide rules |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| Strict new European rules on the use of pesticides are expected to be passed which could "seriously threaten" UK food production, say farmers. | Strict new European rules on the use of pesticides are expected to be passed which could "seriously threaten" UK food production, say farmers. |
| The British government opposes the law, expected to be passed on Tuesday, which critics say would cause rising prices. | The British government opposes the law, expected to be passed on Tuesday, which critics say would cause rising prices. |
| It could wipe out the carrot industry and seriously affect many other crops, the National Farmers' Union has warned. | It could wipe out the carrot industry and seriously affect many other crops, the National Farmers' Union has warned. |
| However, the Soil Association backs the EU's bid to cut the use of chemicals it says can cause cancer and infertility. | However, the Soil Association backs the EU's bid to cut the use of chemicals it says can cause cancer and infertility. |
| The association's policy director Peter Melchett said organic farmers had proven that crops could be grown with minimal use of pesticides. | The association's policy director Peter Melchett said organic farmers had proven that crops could be grown with minimal use of pesticides. |
| "The vast majority of farmers don't use these chemicals on a regular basis anyway and those few farmers who do use them can find alternatives," he said. | "The vast majority of farmers don't use these chemicals on a regular basis anyway and those few farmers who do use them can find alternatives," he said. |
| 'Major concern' | 'Major concern' |
| But National Farmers' Union deputy president Meurig Raymond said members "could be facing a difficult future with our agriculture and food production seriously threatened" if the law was passed. It is ludicrous that we would bring in a law that would put our crops in real danger Robert Sturdy MEP class="" href="/1/hi/uk_politics/7817853.stm">Reporter's diary - life as an MEP | |
| "The lack of sound science behind the plans is a major concern," he said. | "The lack of sound science behind the plans is a major concern," he said. |
| "We cannot support measures which reduce the tools available to farmers and growers to produce crops and that could ultimately jeopardise future food supply and security." | "We cannot support measures which reduce the tools available to farmers and growers to produce crops and that could ultimately jeopardise future food supply and security." |
| Changes in the way pesticides are authorised for use on crops are part of an EU goal to halve the use of toxic products in farming by 2013. | |
| The plans include assessing products for protecting plants on the basis of "perceived hazard", instead of scientific evidence. | The plans include assessing products for protecting plants on the basis of "perceived hazard", instead of scientific evidence. |
| Farmers would also be banned from using chemicals which affect a cell's genetics, or are carcinogenic or toxic. | Farmers would also be banned from using chemicals which affect a cell's genetics, or are carcinogenic or toxic. |
| But the proposals have already been scaled back after Europe's pesticides industry warned the new standards would remove from the market products that had been used without problems for years. | But the proposals have already been scaled back after Europe's pesticides industry warned the new standards would remove from the market products that had been used without problems for years. |
| Certain pesticides are particularly useful in Britain to combat diseases associated with wet weather such as potato blight. | Certain pesticides are particularly useful in Britain to combat diseases associated with wet weather such as potato blight. |
| A Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs spokesman said: "We believe the proposals could hit crop yields without noticeable benefit for human health. | A Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs spokesman said: "We believe the proposals could hit crop yields without noticeable benefit for human health. |
| "We've done our own impact assessment on the matter but the European Commission has not." | "We've done our own impact assessment on the matter but the European Commission has not." |
| Conservative MEPs say almost a quarter of produce will be lost in the UK alone if the plans go through, including the total carrot yield and 20% of cereal production. | Conservative MEPs say almost a quarter of produce will be lost in the UK alone if the plans go through, including the total carrot yield and 20% of cereal production. |
| Impact assessment | Impact assessment |
| Along with Labour counterparts, they are calling for a full impact assessment of the proposed changes before the measures are approved. | Along with Labour counterparts, they are calling for a full impact assessment of the proposed changes before the measures are approved. |
| Conservative Robert Sturdy MEP said: "We must have safer pesticides that are used responsibly but banning products that are safe when used correctly will add to already volatile food prices and food shortages. | Conservative Robert Sturdy MEP said: "We must have safer pesticides that are used responsibly but banning products that are safe when used correctly will add to already volatile food prices and food shortages. |
| "Food security is already becoming a pressing issue, so it is ludicrous that we would bring in a law that would put our crops in real danger." | "Food security is already becoming a pressing issue, so it is ludicrous that we would bring in a law that would put our crops in real danger." |
| According to BBC News's environment correspondent, Sarah Mukherjee, scientists are already concerned that insects are becoming more resistant to those pesticides that are available. | According to BBC News's environment correspondent, Sarah Mukherjee, scientists are already concerned that insects are becoming more resistant to those pesticides that are available. |
| If the plans go through, the majority of pesticides currently on the market will be valid until at least 2015, giving pesticide manufacturers time to reformulate their products. | If the plans go through, the majority of pesticides currently on the market will be valid until at least 2015, giving pesticide manufacturers time to reformulate their products. |