Concerns are mounting that the horticulture industry faces months, if not years, of uncertainty about the impact of the European regulation to remove key products which are vital for controlling pests, weeds and diseases, according to the Fresh Produce Consortium (FPC).
The ability of European horticulture to supply good quality affordable produce in a safe sustainable manner will be jeopardised without a full impact assessment, including the wider impact on food supply.
Nigel Jenney, chief executive of the FPC, said: “The lack of detail from the European Commission and clarity regarding definitions of criteria makes it very difficult for the fresh produce sector to assess fully the implications of this regulation. This has led to speculation, second-guessing, and even talk of unofficial ‘blacklists’ to ban certain active substances. This speculation is neither useful nor constructive, as these substances have been through rigorous testing and approval.
“We are grateful for the evaluation by the Pesticides Safety Directorate in the UK, and work is progressing to interpret more fully the implications of the regulation which will be most helpful to the industry. However, the European Commission must resolve this uncertainty by putting in place a full impact assessment and providing information of the impact on individual crops.
“The European Commission appears to base its livelihood on indecision and narrow thinking, but it cannot impose this on the fresh produce industry. We need hard and fast information upon which to make long-term business decisions to ensure that we can continue to provide safe, affordable fresh produce.”
In a recent survey by the Food Standards Agency, UK consumers indicated that they are more concerned about rising food prices than about pesticides in food. In fact, concerns about pesticides have decreased over time and are now at their lowest level since tracking began in 2001.
“The European Parliament should prioritise its efforts to tackle the significant challenges of feeding an increasing world population, competing pressures on agricultural land and the impact of climate change," said Jenney.
“The horticulture industry already leads in the adoption of integrated pest management systems and we will continue to press the UK government and others to ensure that the industry has the necessary tools to provide a sustainable supply of fresh produce."
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