MEPs debate on the report by the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Committee to reduce the use of chemical plant protection products and to make them safer by at least 50%; they would also reduce the use of so-called “more hazardous products” by 65%, compared to the 2013-2017 average. Opening statements by Sarah WIENER (Greens/EFA, AT), Rapporteur Clara AGUILERA GARCÍA (S&D, ES), Michèle RIVASI (Greens/EFA, FR), Stella KYRIAKIDES, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

statement

Strasbourg

debate

plenary session

use of pesticides and herbicides (T)

AGUILERA, Clara (S&D, ES)

use of glyphosate (T)

WIENER, Sarah (Greens/EFA, AT)

KYRIAKIDES, Stella (CY, EC)

Sustainable use of plant protection products: opening statements by Sarah WIENER (Greens/EFA, AT), Rapporteur, Clara AGUILERA GARCÍA (S&D, ES), Michèle RIVASI (Greens/EFA, FR), Stella KYRIAKIDES, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety

SOUNDBITE (German), Sarah WIENER (Greens/EFA, AT), Good morning. And thank you, Madam President and Commissioner. We are finally here. And first of all, allow me to thank all of those who have made it even possible to be here holding this debate today, because, as you know, a vote tomorrow is not something we could not have taken for granted. It's an issue that was subject to many attempts to block. We had a very one sided provision of information, to put it nicely, and no real support for our efforts to do something for the Europeans in their environment. So it's a delight to be here today and we look forward to the vote tomorrow.

SOUNDBITE (German), Sarah WIENER (Greens/EFA, AT), It was a long path and that despite the fact that there is a broad consensus in the broader population saying: yes, we want a drop in the use of pesticides, the risk for the environment, for our groundwater, our drinking water, our soil have become unacceptable. Almost 82% of those who have asked for change are from Denmark, Germany, Poland, Spain, Romania, France and they are worried about the environmental impact of pesticides. 67% are worried about their own health and the health of their children, grandchildren, friends, partners and science supports these concerns.

SOUNDBITE (German), Sarah WIENER (Greens/EFA, AT), There's a letter signed by 6000 scientists and it was a multidisciplinary approach, broad consensus for the reduction in pesticides. The increasing residues of pesticides caused a drop in insect, has effects on soil and the derivative products which have not yet been investigated are harmful and have become a huge problem for people, animals and our environment.

SOUNDBITE (German), Sarah WIENER (Greens/EFA, AT), If you go at home and collect dust from your bedroom, I'm sure that you can guarantee that there will be pesticide content in household dust. It's in our blood, it's in our uteruses. There are more than a thousand environmental toxins, and we now need to seriously take on the task of reducing that. The long term consequences for health, biodiversity and our ecosystems, as well as our natural resources, is something that we need to stand up for now because we have a responsibility not just for our neighbours but for our children, future generations, our grandchildren and their children.

SOUNDBITE (German), Sarah WIENER (Greens/EFA, AT), But we have a problem as well, that of protecting food security. So we need to ensure that our food security is protected, that biodiversity is protected and we don't want to threaten those. What we've been doing so far is a real threat to our food security and the very basis of our existence. And it's not the soil that is responsible for that. Studies show virtue of use of pesticides are senseless. They cost more than they bring in and profits.

SOUNDBITE (German), Sarah WIENER (Greens/EFA, AT), The European Commission proposal for a toolkit relating to the use of pesticides and its reduction not only saves poisons in our environment, but it also leads to increased revenues. And that's something where we would expect to see farmers welcome this to call for it. So we're saying we're doing something for society and our own financial situation. So I ask you to vote tomorrow for a strong sir so that we can respond to the wishes of Europeans. Thank you very much.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Clara AGUILERA GARCÍA (S&D, ES), I would like to begin by thanking all of the shadow rapporteurs and the technical team from the AGRI Committee for all of the work that was carried out in this committee. We just heard from the rapporteur from the ENVI committee, and I recognise the fact that the report that has been presented here to the plenary, it actually made the Commission's proposal more stringent. Now that is not just my opinion.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Clara AGUILERA GARCÍA (S&D, ES), What we can see is that this proposal continues to be an issue for European farming, as the Agri committee has stated. Indeed, we saw that there was a rejection of this now. I will continue to reiterate the point. Yes, we agree with a reduction in the use of plant protection products over the course of time. But until we have agronomic safe alternatives, we will not be able to adopt these measures. We must continue with IPM.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Clara AGUILERA GARCÍA (S&D, ES), Therefore, we have presented Amendment 685, signed by four political groups, that sets the time at 2035 for implementation of this. We need to have the time so that we can have the effective alternatives. What we saw from the Commission's proposal for the percentage of reduction for Member States, was a number of different problems from the Member States, as you know that therefore we come up with Amendment 686 with a 35% reduction target by the Member States.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Clara AGUILERA GARCÍA (S&D, ES), Now, it is extremely important as well when it comes to the reduction of plant production products in sensitive areas. It depends on the area that we are looking at. 687 amendment divides this in two. And I would like to state that the cap cannot be used for everything and certainly not for a drastic reduction that would be used for all of the standards that are going to be passed in Article 3043 we deleted that. Also, we need to make sure that we have enough food supply. Our proposal maintains that this will be the case. Thank you very much.

SOUNDBITE (English), Stella KYRIAKIDES, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, First of all, I want to thank you for the opportunity to debate the Commission proposal for a regulation on the sustainable use of plant protection products. Ever since the Commission has adopted this proposal in June 2022, it has been the subject of strong and passionate debate. Both among the honourable Members in this House and also in the wider stakeholder community. And this is entirely understandable because the use of pesticides is both an important and sensitive topic.

SOUNDBITE (English), Stella KYRIAKIDES, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, Our previous discussions made clear that we can at least agree on one basic principle, namely the importance of protecting citizens health and the environment. At the same time, protecting the EU's farmers, agricultural production and food security. And because we agree on this principle, I believe it is possible to reconcile the differing views and to make constructive progress on this file.

SOUNDBITE (English), Stella KYRIAKIDES, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, 'Constructive progress on the one hand, respond to the demands from the citizens and consumers to reduce the re-use and risk of pesticides. On the other hand, simultaneously ensure that our farmers retain an effective pest control toolbox and sufficient alternatives to the use of chemical pesticides.

SOUNDBITE (English), Stella KYRIAKIDES, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, I note the emphasis placed on setting a positive target for the use of biocontrol and low risk products. The Commission, and I wanted to share this with you, is working intensively with Member States, industry and stakeholders to promote the availability and use of biocontrol and low risk alternatives to chemical pesticides.

SOUNDBITE (English), Stella KYRIAKIDES, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, Our paper on sensitive areas highlighted numerous ways in which the use and risk of pesticides could be reduced in such areas and still protect our agriculture. We also provided a comprehensive complementary analysis after the proposal had been adopted at the Council's request. In our response, we emphasise how progress towards the pesticide reduction targets could be made without compromising our food security and how the administrative burden on small and medium sized scale farmers can be reduced and minimise.

SOUNDBITE (English), Stella KYRIAKIDES, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, Turning to the international aspects: we must not lose sight of the goals agreed at COP15 Global Biodiversity Framework meeting in Montreal last December. One such international agreed target focuses on the overall risk from pesticides reduced by at least half by 2030 included three integrated pest management and taking into account food security and livelihoods. This target comes close with the ambition set up in the Commission's proposal.

SOUNDBITE (English), Stella KYRIAKIDES, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, President, honourable members, I have always believed that it is of utmost importance that all views on this topic are listened to both carefully and respectfully. The Commission has been doing that for the last 18 months. We have been showing pragmatism and flexibility and I maintain that belief because I think it's the last best chance at achieving progress.

SOUNDBITE (English), Stella KYRIAKIDES, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, I'm going to hear all the points raised in this debate very carefully. I hope that they can be brought forward in the trialogue discussions that will follow once Council agrees on its general approach on this file. Once again, thank you for all your constructive discussions with this. I look forward to the debate. Thank you.

SOUNDBITE (French), Michèle RIVASI (Greens/EFA, FR), 'Thank you, Madam President. Thank you, Commissioner. I know you are interested in arguments: I have scientific and political arguments. First of all, this is one of the most important pieces of legislation of this parliamentary term, this super regulation. And I want to congratulate Sarah Wiener for the tremendous work that she and her co-rapporteurs have done.

SOUNDBITE (French), Michèle RIVASI (Greens/EFA, FR), There are two very important things in this world: safeguarding biodiversity, and we know that biodiversity is at risk from pesticides. All the science shows the effect of pesticides on flora and fauna. There are pesticides in water, in the air and throughout the environment.

SOUNDBITE (French), Michèle RIVASI (Greens/EFA, FR), And then there health. Just a couple of days ago, Monsanto was presented with evidence linking Monsanto's pesticides with cancer. If you consider farmers health and the occupational diseases suffered by farmers, clearly pesticides have a role to play. It's very important for us politicians to gain the upper hand over the agri food lobby. We should be demonstrating to our voters that Europe protects them. Unfortunately, if we don't do that, the lobby will have won this. So regulation is of huge importance.