A broad coalition of associations representing Europe’s agriculture and food chain industries have called on the EU to do much more to find solutions to the lack of plant protection products for specialty crops, such as fruits and vegetables, rice, flowers or seeds.
In February 2014 the European Commission (DG SANCO) published a long-awaited report on the establishment of a European fund for so-called minor uses products. The agri-food chain associations agreed that the proposals do not go far enough, leaving many problems still unresolved.
The associations noted that the proposed platform at EU level for coordination of existing activities on minor uses and specialty crops via a secretariat was 'a good start', but it does not offer a long-term perspective.
“The lack of proper plant protection solutions compromises not only the competitiveness of the entire agri-food chain – the EU being the second largest producer of fruit and vegetables in the world and also the second largest importer – but it also compromises the sustainability of the sector to prevent and control new emerging pests, the employment generated within the sector, and more importantly the diversity of high quality agri-food products in Europe”, said Pekka Pesonen, Copa-Cogeca secretary general on behalf of the agri-food chain partners.
“These may be referred to as minor crops, but they are of major importance to the European economy, and to consumers,” said Jean-Charles Bocquet, director general of the European Crop Protection Association. “To better provide plant protection solutions, we need not only more coordination but also a mechanism in place for boosting cooperation and part funding of research projects.
'Only in this way will we address all problems by leveraging common solutions for all minor uses and specialty crops in a cost effective manner,' he added. 'Otherwise we will continue to learn about problems from one another and not have solutions available to address them.”
The agri-food chain partners have proposed a more permanent programme on minor uses and specialty crops to be developed within a smart, sustainable and inclusive growth policy in line with Europe 2020 objectives. Such a programme should provide funding to support and boost initiatives to find minor use solutions.
