The Fresh Produce Consortium (FPC) has reiterated its concerns over the European Parliament’s plan to reduce growers’ ability to use pesticides and its effect on long-term food security.
According to an updated assessment by the UK’s Pesticides Safety Directorate (PSD), the proposals could remove up to 23 per cent of crop protection products that are vital to the production of fruit and vegetables across Europe.
Nigel Jenney, chief executive of the FPC, said: “Fruit and vegetable prices could be set to rocket and it may not be economic to grow certain horticultural crops in the UK.
“We are waiting for PSD’s agronomic report to check the full implications of the latest proposals. We will continue to call for a full European impact assessment to be included in the regulations before they are enforced.
“We must hold MEPs accountable to hard-pressed consumers in this difficult economic climate for the repercussions of their decision-making when the European Parliament votes on the final proposals.
“Once we have the agronomic report, we shall be giving further guidance to our members and contacts across the globe to continue to fight for the future of horticulture and to defend the right of the consumer to enjoy good-quality, healthy produce,” he said.
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