The European Crop Protection Association (ECPA) has written an open letter in reponse its recent nominaton for a so-called 'Democracy for Sale Award', a scheme organised by four NGOs that aims to 'expose the privileged access and influence of corporations in European policy making', and in particular 'expose the collusion between business groups and the EC over the ongoing negotiations of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP)'.
Outlining the 'nomination' last week, the NGOs – namely LobbyControl, Friends of the Earth Europe, WeMove and Corporate Europe Observatory – wrote to Euros Jones, regulatory affairs director of the ECPA, saying they had found 'strong evidence that your trade association, as well as your US counterpart CropLife America, has enjoyed a cosy relationship with the European Commission'.
They went on to explain how their research had found that the ECPA's plans for regulatory cooperation on pesticides would weaken the EU's more protective laws and would lead to a US-style regulation, with greater freedom for the pesticide industry.
'Furthermore, we take the view that your demands for TTIP would increase the amounts of pesticide residues on food and the amount of carcinogens, endocrine-disrupting chemicals and pollinator-killing pesticides in Europe,' the NGOs stated. 'In addition, they could also weaken public access to information on pesticides and increase industry influence in decision-making processes, thus undermining democracy.'
ECPA response
The ECPA was offered until the 5 September to respond to the nomination, which it has now done in an open letter to Lora Verheecke, who penned the initial nomination statement on behalf of the NGOs.
Written by Graeme Taylor, the director of public affairs for ECPA, the response highlights how the association 'values the importance of democracy' and 'participates fully in the democratic process'.
He also denies accusations of collusion with the EC, noting that the ECPA is 'legitimately representing our interests, engaging in dialogue and urging the EU and US to adopt a framework for pesticide regulation that is predictable and robust', while adding that the organisation is happy to address any concerns over pesticides in an 'open and honest debate'.
See the full response from Graeme Taylor below:
Dear Ms Verheecke
Nomination for the Democracy for Sale Awards
Thank you for your letter of 1st September 2016 to my colleague Euros Jones, and for the opportunity to comment.
Like your organisation, ECPA values the importance of democracy. This is why, as an organisation, we participate fully in the democratic process as we, you and any other interested stakeholder is fully entitled to. There are many definitions of democracy, but if you look at it as being an organisation or situation in which everyone is treated equally and has equal rights, then we have an obligation – and make no secret – of the fact that we represent the interests of our members, much in the same way as your respective organisations represent yours.
I’m not sure how you can make the leap from us legitimately representing our interests, engaging in dialogue and urging the EU & US to adopt a framework for pesticide regulation that is both predictable and robust – to accusing us of collusion. It’s a jump that would be like us accusing NGOs of collusion if they receive funding from the European Commission and then go on to successfully achieve an outcome that’s in their favour.
Constructive dialogue, and differing opinions, are a healthy part of democracy. We recognise there are concerns about pesticides and these are concerns that we are happy to address in an open and honest debate. In fact we are currently planning an event in November where we will encourage parties from all sides of the argument to take part – we hope we can count on your participation. There are different reasons for the existence of all of our organisations, and for us it’s to ensure our members can continue to provide the tools farmers need to produce a safe, sustainable and affordable supply of food for the growing world population: I’m sure that is in all of our interests.
Yours sincerely
Graeme Taylor
Director of Public Affairs
