The European Commission has met to agree the use of 14 active substances requested by the UK horticultural industry.

The industry has requested the substances be permitted until December 31 2007, and this has been agreed despite the EU planning to revoke the actives on July 25 2003.

However, EC regulations provided temporary measures whereby EU member states were invited to identify those activities that should be given critical or 'essential use' status where no effective plant protection products remained, in order to allow time for alternatives to be developed.

Colin Harvey, chairman of the Horticultural Development Council, said: 'The HDC undertook much of the staff work to formulate a reply to the EU. A large number of consultants, growers and grower groups from organisations throughout the UK contributed extensively to this process for which, I am sure, all of the industry is very grateful.

'Clearly the challenge now is for us to look forward and work on solutions to these products being withdrawn in 2007.' Of the 15 substances requested for essential use clearance, only one was refused.