The European Crop Protection Association has expressed its disappointment with last week’s European Parliament Environment Committee vote on the Sustainable Use Framework Directive.

In particular, the ECPA says that it regrets the decision to impose arbitrary use-reduction targets instead of supporting risk reduction through improved use practices.

ECPA's senior manager for agriculture, environment and food policy, Claudia Michel, expressed strong concern about the decision to impose a general EU-wide 25 percent use reduction target in 5 years and 50 percent use reduction target to be achieved in 10 years.

"Setting arbitrary use reduction targets does not take into account that the amount used and number of application treatments is closely related to the type of crops being grown, the pest pressure and climatic situation,” she said. “These targets will especially disadvantage Southern European farmers that grow a wide variety of fruits and vegetables as well as new Member States that are currently modernising their agricultural production."The Committee's decision to introduce EU-wide 10 metre buffer zones along all watercourses was also criticised, as was the Committee decision to introduce a new tax on plant protection products.

However, the ECPA was satisfied with some outcomes, notably amendments to bolster the fight against illegal products were approved, as was a partial-lifting of the prohibition on aerial spraying.