Ten leading agricultural food-chain members have urged the European Commission to act immediately to address what they say is the limited availability of Plant Protection Products for minor uses and speciality crops in Europe.
The lack of plant protection products for minor uses and speciality crops is becoming a crucial factor for future cultivation of these crops in the European Union, the groups – including Areflh, Celcaa, Coceral, Copa-Cogeca, Ecpa, Esa, Freshfel, Ibma, Profel and Union Fleurs – said.
'The lack of proper tools compromises not only the competitiveness of the entire agri-food chain, including its sustainability and the employment generated, but also the diversity [of] high-quality food in Europe,' said Luc Peeters chairman of Copa-Cogeca's phytosanitary group, on behalf of the 10 agri-food chain associations.
The European Commission was due to present a report to the European Parliament and Council on how to tackle the issue of minor uses and specialty crops on 14 December, with the ongoing delay of its publication described as 'not encouraging' for European agriculture.
Since 2009, the 10 EU associations have called for solutions and investment schemes to support minor uses and speciality crops and to improve the availability of tailor-made solutions for their protection.
'This is a unique opportunity to improve the difficult situation on the ground and get ready to face new challenges in future,' continued Peeters. 'Co-ordination across all 27 member states and support for data generation are both key to ensure the availability of solutions to control pests and diseases.
'Minor uses and speciality crops should not be seen in isolation from Regulation 1107/2009 and the Zonal process for the efficient working of the product authorisation process,' he added. 'A co-ordination group with a wider role will provide greater benefits and ensure that more solutions can be found for minor uses.
'We therefore call on the European Commission to speed up the publication of the report and support an ambitious plan aiming at setting up a permanent EU programme for minor uses and speciality crops, accompanied by a coherent funding programme.'
