The European Crop Protection Association (ECPA) has criticised the 'sensational misrepresentation' of information coming from certain quarters in the build up to the European Parliament's vote on plant protection products.
Next week's vote is expected to set new 'cut-off' criteria against which all active substances used in the production of herbicides, insecticides and fungicides are measured.
While the group said that it welcomed 'open debate' on the vote, it felt that misleading statements had been released about a number of key factors relating to the regulation.
In particular, a claim by MEP Hiltrud Breyer claiming that the new regulations could create a 'black list' of active substances to be removed from the market has come in for criticism by the ECPA.
'This claim is entirely unfounded. The new regulation contains no 'black list' of substances nor timelines for removal,' said Friedhelm Schmider, director general at the ECPA. 'The regulation contains the human health criteria against which active substances will be evaluated – it is therefore not possible to state which substances will be impacted by the criteria. Further, the term 'black list' is manipulative and blatantly fear inspiring.'
Additionally, the group reiterated calls for European policymakers to carry out an impact assessment to determine the effect the legislation would have on the European food supply, agricultural economy, human health and the environment.
'The resulting scientific text `of the proposed legislation` makes no sense scientifically in areas where great care and due diligence are absolute requirements,' Mr Schmider said.
