Activities of Pavel POC related to 2017/2284(INI)
Plenary speeches (1)
Sustainable use of pesticides (debate) CS
Amendments (57)
Amendment 1 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 10 a (new)
Citation 10 a (new)
- having regard to the Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions - A thematic strategy on the sustainable use of pesticides {COM(2006) 373 final} {SEC(2006)894} {SEC(2006) 895} {SEC(2006) 914} of 12 July 2006,1a _________________ 1a https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal- content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex:52006DC037 2
Amendment 3 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 3 a (new)
Citation 3 a (new)
- having regard to Directive 98/24 on the protection of workers from chemical risks and to Directive 2004/37 on the protection of workers from carcinogens and mutagens;
Amendment 5 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 5
Citation 5
— having regard to Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 October 2009 concerning the placing of plant protection products on the market and repealing Council Directives 79/117/EEC and 91/414/EEC8 ; having regard to the European Implementation Assessment on the Regulation and to its relevant annexes, as published by the European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS) in April 2018, _________________ 8 OJ L 309, 24.11.2009, p. 1.
Amendment 6 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 6 a (new)
Citation 6 a (new)
- having regard to the report from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council on the implementation of Regulation (EC) No1185/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 November 2009 concerning statistics on pesticides (COM/2017/0109 final);
Amendment 8 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 9 a (new)
Citation 9 a (new)
- having regard to Directive2013/39/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 August 2013amending Directives 2000/60/EC and 2008/105/EC as regards priority substances in the field of water policy,
Amendment 10 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 9 a (new)
Citation 9 a (new)
- having regard to the Special Report 2014 of the European Court of Auditors "Integration of EU water policy objectives with the CAP: a partial success";
Amendment 12 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 9 b (new)
Citation 9 b (new)
- having regard to Council Directive98/83/EC of 3 November 1998 on the quality of water intended for human consumption,
Amendment 14 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 11
Citation 11
Amendment 15 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 12
Citation 12
Amendment 26 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 27 a (new)
Citation 27 a (new)
- having regard to the Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing rules on support for strategic plans to be drawn up by Member States under the Common agricultural policy (CAP Strategic Plans) and financed by the European Agricultural Guarantee Fund (EAGF) and by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and repealing Regulation (EU)No 1305/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council and Regulation (EU)No 1307/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council (COM(2018)392 final,
Amendment 29 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas Directive 2009/128/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the sustainable use of pesticides (hereinafter ‘the directive’) provides for a range of actions to achieve a sustainable use of pesticides in the EU, by reducing the risks and impacts of pesticide use on human health and the environment and promoting the use of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and alternative approaches or techniques, such as non- chemical alternatives to pesticides;including low-risk biological plant protection products; aiming at reducing pesticide dependency
Amendment 36 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas the directive is one of the Union’s most valuable tools to ensure that the environment, ecosystems and human health are well protected from hazardous substances in pesticides, while providing a larger and more varied farmers’ toolbox to protect their crops through sustainable solutions such as low-risk biological plant protection products; whereas the failure to fully implement the directive makes it all but impossible to simultaneously achieve the highest degree of protection and to transition towards a sustainable agricultural sector and non-toxic environment;
Amendment 40 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
B a. whereas the current practices by the Commission and Member States regarding the approval of active substances and authorisation of plant protection products is not compatible with the objectives and purpose of Directive 2009/128/EC on the sustainable use of pesticides; whereas these current practices impede attaining the highest possible level of protection and transition to a sustainable agricultural sector and non-toxic environment;
Amendment 42 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
B a. whereas the use of conventional plant protection products is increasingly subject to public debate, due to the potential risks they pose to human health, animals and the environment;
Amendment 43 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B b (new)
Recital B b (new)
B b. whereas there is a lack of availability of low-risk plant protection products, including biological ones; whereas only 13 substances are approved as low-risk active substances, 12 of them biological, out of a total of almost 500 available on the EU market; whereas the lack of availability of low-risk plant protection products including biological ones hinders the development and implementation of IPM;
Amendment 44 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B b (new)
Recital B b (new)
B b. whereas Integrated Pest Management implementation is mandatory in the Union in accordance with the Directive; whereas Member States and local authorities should place more emphasis on the sustainable use of pesticides, including low-risk plant protection alternatives;
Amendment 46 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B c (new)
Recital B c (new)
B c. whereas the current regulatory framework, including the data requirements, was designed for the assessment and management of chemical plant protection products, and is thus ill- fitting for low-risk biological active substances and products; whereas this ill- fitting framework is significantly slowing down the market entry of low-risk biological plant protection products, often deterring applicants; whereas this hinders innovation and hampers the competitiveness of EU agriculture; whereas this also leads to over 60 active substances identified by the European Commission as candidates for substitution not being replaced given the lack of safer alternatives, including low-risk biological active substances;
Amendment 47 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B c (new)
Recital B c (new)
B c. whereas the available evidence clearly shows that the implementation of the Directive is not sufficiently aligned with related EU policies in the field of pesticides, agriculture and sustainable development, notably but not exclusively the Common Agricultural Policy and Plant Protection Products Regulation;
Amendment 48 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B d (new)
Recital B d (new)
B d. whereas Europe currently stands at a crossroads that will determine thefuture of the agriculture sector and the Union’s possibility to achieve a sustainable use of pesticides, most notably through the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP); whereas the reform of the CAP brings with it a substantial potential to strengthen the streamlining and harmonisation of policies as well as the implementation of the Directive and to facilitate the transition towards more environmentally- sustainable agricultural practices;
Amendment 49 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B d (new)
Recital B d (new)
B d. whereas in October 2017, the Commission declared the European Citizens' Initiative "Ban glyphosate and protect people and the environment from toxic pesticides" admissible; whereas over one million citizens called on the Commission to propose to the Member States the introduction of a ban on the use of glyphosate, to reform the approval procedure for pesticides and to set mandatory reduction targets at EU level for the use of pesticides;
Amendment 50 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B e (new)
Recital B e (new)
B e. whereas there is increasing evidence of an ongoing mass death of insects in Europe; whereas the observed sharp decline in insects has negative impacts on the entire ecosystem and biological diversity but also on the agricultural sector and its future economic wellbeing and output; whereas there is indisputable evidence that the decline in insects is linked to the current levels of pesticide use;
Amendment 51 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B f (new)
Recital B f (new)
B f. whereas stakeholders in the agricultural sector are concerned that the insufficient implementation of the Directive has de facto created a unlevelled playing field in Europe with diverging national practices impeding the optimal uptake of sustainable alternatives on the market; whereas this situation has created economic barriers for alternative low-risk and non-chemical products to sufficiently penetrate the EU market which reduces their attractiveness to farmers, who may instead opt for more cost-effective alternatives in the short-term;
Amendment 52 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B g (new)
Recital B g (new)
B g. whereas the available evidence shows that the Directive, as well as related actions at EU-level, has great potential to further enhance and add value to national efforts and actions in the agricultural sector and protection for the environment and human health;
Amendment 53 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B h (new)
Recital B h (new)
B h. whereas organic agriculture plays an important role as a low pesticide input system and should be further encouraged;
Amendment 54 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B i (new)
Recital B i (new)
B i. whereas Regulation 1107/2009 obliges the Council to include in the statutory management requirement referred to in Annex III to Council Regulation (EC) No 1782/2003 of 29 September 2003 establishing common rules for direct support schemes under the Common Agricultural Policy and establishing certain support schemes for farmers, the principles of integrated pest management, including good plant protection practice and non-chemical methods of plant protection and pest and crop management;
Amendment 58 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Regrets the facthree years’ delay by the European Commission in preparing its report on Member States progress in implementation of the Directive, lacking EU steering, and as a result Member States so far not having fulfilled the requirements foreseen in the NAPs with the result that the overall degree of progress in implementation by the Member States is insufficient to meet the directive’s main objectives and to unlock its full potential to reduce the overall risks deriving from pesticide use while reducing pesticide dependency and achieve the environmental and health improvements the directive was specifically designed for;
Amendment 78 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Notes that an increased uptake of IPM serves the dual purpose of strengthening the protection of the environment and biodiversity as well as reducing costs for farmers to switch to more sustainable alternatives and reduce the use of conventional pesticides;
Amendment 81 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Regrets the fact that in many Member States there is no real commitment to IPM practices, which are the cornerstone of the directive; underlines the fact that rigorous implementation of IPM is one of the key measures to reduce dependency on pesticide use in sustainable agriculture, which is environmentally friendly, economically viable and socially responsible and contributes to Europe’s food security while strengthening biodiversity and human and animal health, boosting the rural economy and reducing costs for farmers by facilitating the market uptake of low-risk and non-chemical alternatives; stresses that additional financial incentives are needed to strengthen the uptake of IPM practices by individual farms; notes also the organic farmers who suffer economic losses from their neighbours' pesticide use, whereby drift from pesticide spraying and movement of persistent active substances in the environment contaminate organic produce and soils; notes that consequently, organic farmers are forced to sell that produce as conventional, losing out on their price premium, or worse become decertified, due to actions that are not their own;
Amendment 87 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. Notes in this respect that resistance to pesticide active substances is a biological inevitability in fast- reproducing pests and diseases and is a growing problem; stresses therefore that chemical pesticides should be used selectively and in a targeted manner, as a last rather than a first resort after exhausting all possible physical or biological alternatives; otherwise these beneficial pest control agents risk being wiped out, leaving the crops more susceptible to future attacks.
Amendment 101 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Expresses concern at the fact that approximately 80 % of Member States’ NAPs contain no specific information on how to quantify the achievement of many of the objectives and targets, particularly as regards targets for IPM and aquatic protection measures; while measures to protect soil and biodiversity from pesticides are lacking; stresses that this greatly complicates the process of measuring the progress made by Member States towards the main objectives and purpose of the directive;
Amendment 109 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6 a. Regrets the lack of availability of low-risk biological plant protection products which is caused by the lengthy evaluation, authorisation and registration process; Regrets that while the current regulatory framework provides certain incentives for low-risk active substances and plant protection products, namely a shorter authorization time frame of 120 days, the 120 days deadline is rarely fulfilled at the Member States level; emphasises that the current situation is not compliant with the principles of promoting and implementing IPM, which stand at the core of the directive;
Amendment 113 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 b (new)
Paragraph 6 b (new)
6 b. Stresses the need in that regard for more expertise within the European Commission, EFSA and the national competent authorities to adequately evaluate low-risk biological active substances and products, and promote their use;
Amendment 123 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7 a. Deplores the fact that the Commission proposal on the new post- 2020 CAP does not incorporate the principle of Integrated Pest Management in the statutory management requirements referred to in Annex III of that proposal; stresses that lack of cross- compliance between this Directive and the new CAP model will effectively hamper reducing pesticide dependency;
Amendment 141 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Emphasises the fundamental importance of biodiversity and robust ecosystems, most notably bees and other pollinating insects, for ensuring a healthy and sustainable agricultural sector; underlines that the protection of biodiversity is not exclusively a matter of protecting the environment but also a means to ensure Europe’s sustained food security in the future;
Amendment 161 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12 a. Notes that agriculture is the main source that causes groundwater to fail to achieve good chemical status, as it leads to pollution by nitrates and pesticides; welcomes the progress made by Member States in tackling priority substances, which has led to fewer water bodies failing to meet standards for substances, such as cadmium, lead and nickel, as well as pesticides;
Amendment 163 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 b (new)
Paragraph 12 b (new)
12 b. Welcomes that several Member States and many regional and local governments have taken action to restrict or prohibit pesticide use in areas used by the public or vulnerable groups; notes however the absence of measurable targets in the majority of Member States;
Amendment 165 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 c (new)
Paragraph 12 c (new)
12 c. Notes Member States’ continued support for organic agriculture as a low pesticide input system; welcomes that the number of organic farms has continued to increase in the Union but notes that progress still varies much between one Member States and another;
Amendment 166 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 d (new)
Paragraph 12 d (new)
12 d. Notes the potential in using intelligent technology and precision farming as means to better administer and reduce the overall use of pesticides; stresses that the uptake of such solutions could be improved in Member States if better incorporated into training courses and certification schemes for pesticides users in the National Action Plans;
Amendment 175 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Calls on the Member States to take a proactive role in the practical implementation of the directive in order to identify gaps and specific areas which require particular attention with respect to the protection of human health and the environment, and not to limit themselves only to the usual national transposition and control mechanisms, but instead to revise and to develop their NAPs with clearly defined targeted, objectives and time tables for environmental (protection of water, soil and biodiversity) and human health protection;
Amendment 189 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to ensure better coherence of the directive and its implementation with related EU legislation and policies, most notably the provisions under the CAP and the regulation concerning the placing of plant protection products on the market- the provisions under the CAP - first of all by making sure that IPM is being fully integrated as already called for in article 55 of Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 and in article 14 of the SUD with mandatory and voluntary IPM rules clearly defined while urges the Commission to make the 8 general principles of IPM legal requirements; calls for the integration of IPM into the revision of the CAP with proven reductions in pesticide dependency being an indicator of success, and the regulation concerning the placing of plant protection products on the market, first of all by limiting the number of essential use derogations, but also making sure that environmental exposure is finally being considered in the authorization procedures;
Amendment 194 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16 a. Calls on the Commission to without any further delay deliver on its commitment under the 7th Environment Action Programme to put forth a Union strategy for a non-toxic environment that is conducive to innovation and the development of sustainable substitutes including non-chemical solutions, and expects the Commission to take particular account of the impacts of pesticides on the environment and human health in this strategy;
Amendment 199 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 e (new)
Paragraph 21 e (new)
21 e. Calls on the Commission and Member States to ensure that the polluter- pays principle is fully implemented and effectively enforced as regards the protection of water resources;
Amendment 203 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Calls on the Commission and the Member States, while building upon the existing national indicators set under Directive and the work of the OECD, to move forward with the development of harmonised risk indicators in order to properly monitor the reduction impacts of pesticides; stresses that the harmonised risk indicators must contain different categories of pesticides, enabling comparisons and analyses not only on the basis of the quantity but also on the load of pesticides;
Amendment 206 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17 a. Calls on the Member States to acknowledge that Europe must act without delay to transition to a more sustainable use of pesticides and that the main responsibility for implementing such practices lies with the Member States; emphasises that swift action is essential;
Amendment 208 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17 a. Calls for the collection of data on pesticide use as foreseen in Reg. 1185/2009 on pesticide use statistics;
Amendment 210 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 b (new)
Paragraph 17 b (new)
17 b. Calls on the Commission to establish a fully operational monitoring system for the regular collection of updated measured data on pesticide residue in the environment, especially in soil and water.
Amendment 215 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to take all the requisite measures to promote low-risk pesticides and to prioritise non-chemical options and methods which cause the least harm to health and nature; stresses that for this to be successful, the economic incentives for farmers to choose such options must be strengthened;
Amendment 221 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18 a. Calls on the Commission to submit before the end of its current mandate a specific legislative proposal amending Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009, outside of the general revision in connection with the REFIT initiative, with a view to establishing a rigorous fast-track evaluation, authorisation and registration procedure for low-risk biological pesticides, in line with its resolution of 15 February 2017 on low-risk pesticides of biological origin and with its resolution of 13 September 2018 on the implementation of the Plant Protection Products Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009;
Amendment 225 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 b (new)
Paragraph 18 b (new)
18 b. Calls on the Commission to propose amending the Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 to add a definition and a separate category for ‘naturally occurring substances’ and ‘nature-identical substances’ for which the criterion is the existing presence and exposition of the substance in nature;
Amendment 229 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to place greater emphasis on the promotion of the development, research and marketing of low-risk biological alternatives; including by increasing funding opportunities within Horizon Europe and the Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027.
Amendment 239 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19 a. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to promote organic farming, which relies on preventive and indirect plant protection strategies aimed at reducing the use of external inputs, and on multi-functional naturally occurring substances; acknowledges the need for more research in and development of preventive and indirect agro-ecological plant health care strategies;
Amendment 243 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 b (new)
Paragraph 19 b (new)
19 b. Calls for Horizon Europe to provide sufficient funding to promote to develop plant health care strategies based on a system approach combining innovative agro-ecological technics and preventive measures to reduce the use of external inputs to a minimum;
Amendment 258 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
Paragraph 21 a (new)
21 a. notes further that the best pesticide volume reductions are likely to arise from systemic changes that reduce susceptibility to pest attack, favour structural and biological diversity over monocultures and continuous cropping, and reduce pest resistance to active ingredients; highlights therefore the need to focus on, fund and mainstream agro- ecological methods which make the whole farming system more resilient to pests;
Amendment 260 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
Paragraph 21 a (new)
21 a. Calls on the Commission to take vigorous action against Member States that are systematically abusing derogations against banned pesticides containing neonicotinoids;
Amendment 261 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 b (new)
Paragraph 21 b (new)
21 b. Calls on the Member States to take action concerning pesticide use in urban areas and provide support and information to local governments wishing to restrict and prohibit the use of pesticides in areas used by the public or vulnerable groups;
Amendment 262 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 c (new)
Paragraph 21 c (new)
21 c. Calls on the Commission to set up a pan-European Platform on Sustainable Pesticides Use bringing together sectorial stakeholders and representatives at local and regional level so as to facilitate information sharing and exchange of best practices in reducing pesticides use;
Amendment 263 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 d (new)
Paragraph 21 d (new)
21 d. Calls on the Commission and Member States to work towards the establishment of quantifiable national targets as well as a cumulative EU target for organic farming;