IUF Intervenes in Key European Pesticide Regulation Vote

Posted to the IUF website 19-Oct-2007

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Pesticide regulation in the European Union not only has a direct impact on the living and working conditions of workers in one of the world's largest agricultural economies. It also influences pesticide regulation and application outside the EU, where it can encourage, through best practice, strict regulation in other countries or regions or, through regulatory lapses, serve as a reference for global practices which endanger workers, consumers and the environment.

The IUF has therefore intervened in the EU's "Thematic Strategy on the Sustainable Use of Pesticides", key parts of which will be voted on by the European Parliament the week of October 22-26. A proposed "Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning the placing of plant protection products on the market" and a proposed "Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a framework for Community action to achieve sustainable use of pesticides" will define the regularly framework for agrochemicals for many years to come. Through an Open Letter to Members of the European Parliament signed by IUF General Secretary Ron Oswald and European Regional General Secretary Harald Wiedenhofer, the IUF calls on MEPs to vote to ensure that human health and the environment govern pesticide authorization, that the most toxic pesticides are eliminated, that authorizations be based on comprehensive and ongoing evaluation and that mandatory targets be established for pesticide reduction.

Through a special page on the web site of Pesticides Action Network (PAN) Europe EU residents can contact their MEPs to send a similar message. Click here to send.