The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) and the Horticultural Development Company (HDC) plan to co-ordinate a united way for horticulture to address two key EU pesticide proposals at a two-day conference in October.
The first proposal aims for an EU harmonisation of maximum residue limits (MRLs) - many of which would be set at the limit of determination (LOD) - while the second piece of legislation is a revision of the existing 91/414 regulation.
A recent quote from the Pesticides Safety Directorate on the proposals for the revision of EU regulation 91/414 read: “If the full potential impact of the current European Parliament’s proposals were realised, conventional commercial agriculture in the UK (and much of the EU), as it is currently practiced, would not be achievable - with major impacts on crop yield and food quality.”
NFU board for horticulture vice-chairman and spokesman on crop protection issues Sarah Pettitt said: “Both the horticulture and agriculture industries would be substantially affected by these proposals, but horticulture is facing unique challenges because in many cases horticulture has only one product for one pest or disease on any one crop. To limit the damage of these regulations, UK horticulture must work together and in collaboration with like-minded EU growers and their organisations.”
The event will take place at the Stockbridge Technology Centre on October 7-8.
No comments yet