DEFRA Secretary of State Hilary Benn was dismayed yet bullish following a meeting with a delegation of senior representatives from across the food chain to discuss the outcome of the European Parliament vote on the new EU Pesticide Rules.
The delegation included representatives from the Crop Protection Association, Agriculture Industry Confederation, British Crop Production Council, British Retail Consortium, National Farmers Union , Food and Drink Federation and the Fresh Produce Consortium.
They raised concerns that the removal of around 15 per cent of pesticides under the new EU rules may result in falling crop yields, increasing pest resistance problems and rising food prices and could make the growing of some key crops in the UK no longer economically viable.
The Secretary of State confirmed that the government shared the food chain's concerns on this issue and would be voting against the new pesticides rules when they come before the Agriculture Council for final agreement in March or April.
He emphasised that the new rules would reduce agricultural production and could lead to further food price increases with no recognisable benefit to human health or the environment.
He was also dismayed by the failure of the European Commission to carry out an EU wide impact assessment despite repeated calls for action on this issue from Member States and food chain stakeholders across Europe.
The Secretary of State confirmed that the government would now move its focus to seeking greater flexibility in the interpretation of the derogation during the implementation process to allow continued use of products where no effective alternatives are available.
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