Activities of Julie GIRLING related to 2017/2284(INI)
Shadow opinions (1)
OPINION on the implementation of Directive 2009/128/EC on the sustainable use of pesticides
Amendments (17)
Amendment 20 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 25
Citation 25
Amendment 32 #
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; whereas the failure to fully implementation of the directive makes it all but impossible to achieve the highest degree of protection and to transition towardscan be further improved to achieve a sustainable agricultural sector and non-toxic environment;
Amendment 59 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Regrets the fact 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 and achieve the environmental and health improvements the directive was specifically designed for; however, notes that this legislative framework is covering a policy area that has not been previously regulated and for a majority of Member States the National Action Plans (NAPs) were entirely new; due consideration is needed for delays in the full implementation of the Directive;
Amendment 66 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. Considers that a faster approvals process would stimulate industry research into the development of new low-risk active ingredients, including new, innovative low-risk substances, thus ensuring that farmers have sufficient plant-protection tools at their disposal and enabling them to switch more rapidly to sustainable plant protection products and increase Integrated Pest Management efficacy;
Amendment 77 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Stresses that farmers need to have a bigger toolbox of crop protection solutions, including a wide range of active substances, low risk substances and those of natural origin in order to ensure a comprehensive Integrated Pesticide Management (IPM) strategy that can be implemented by European farmers;
Amendment 105 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Is concerned that very little progress has been made in promoting the uptake of low-risk and non-chemical alternatives to conventional pesticides; notes that a mere handful of NAPs contain incentives for the registration of such alternative products; emphasises that minor uses are particularly vulnerable owing to the scarcity of the relevant active substances;
Amendment 120 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Stresses that the common agriculture policy (CAP), in its current form, is not capable of reducing farms’ dependency on pesticides while maintaining competitiveness and minimising the negative footprint on the environment; considers that specific policy instruments in the post- 2020 CAP are required in order to help change farmers’ behaviour as regards pesticide use, such as fiscal measures at national leveltraining, digitalisation, precision farming techniques, cross-compliance between IPM and CAP direct payments etc.;
Amendment 134 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Is deeply concerned at the gradual depletiondecline of biodiversity in Europe and at the particularly disconcerting demise of winged insects,; as evidenced by the findings of a recent scientific study26 that the population of flying insects in Germany has plummeted by more than 75 % in 27 years; considers that this collapse must be linked to the use of pesticides andcknowledges the Commission’s first ever EU Pollinators Initiative on 1 June 2018 that sets strategic objectives and a set of actions to be taken to address this decline; further underlines the need for Europe to switch to a more sustainable pesticide use and increase the number of non-chemical alternatives for farmers; _________________ 26 https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?i d=10.1371/journal.pone.0185809
Amendment 148 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Expresses particular concern at theRecalls that Regulation 1107/2009 already containued use of pesticides with actives adequate provisions to regulate the placing on the market of substances that armay be mutagenic, carcinogenic or toxic for reproduction, or active substances that have endocrine- disrupting characteristics and are damaging to humans or animals; emphasises that the use of such pesticides is incompatible withconsistency should be ensured between the objectives and purpose of the directive and Regulation 1107/2009;
Amendment 156 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Regrets the fact thatcognises the importance of the improvlement of water quality has been insufficiently targeted, with mostation of the Water Framework Directive to improve water quality, and encourages Member States failing to establish targets and timetables for measures to protect the aquatic environment from pesticides, and those that did so noto specifying how the achievement of targets or objectives would be measured;
Amendment 172 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13 a. Calls on the Commission to facilitate the development and uptake of modern precision farming technologies for all farm types as part of IPM, which provide a clear advantage in lowering pesticide, fertiliser and water use, while improving soil fertility and optimising yields;
Amendment 180 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Calls on the Member States to adhere to the established timelines for delivering revised NAPs; urges those Member States that have not yet delivered revised NAPs to do so without further delay, this time with the clear overall objective of an immediate and long-term reduction in pesticide use, measurable objectives and quantitative targets, expressed either through a quantity- or risk-based approach, including clearly defined annual reduction targets and with special attention for the possible effects on pollinators and the uptake ofthe uptake of digital and precision farming technologies and alternative techniques in the agricultural sector;
Amendment 216 #
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, while ensuring effective and efficient crop protection;
Amendment 217 #
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, precision and digital farming, and non- chemical options and methods which causemethods provided that they deliver efficient pest control with the least harm to health and nature;
Amendment 230 #
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 marketingregistration of low-risk and biological alternativsolutions; also calls for greater emphasis on the adoption of new, digital and precision farming technologies;
Amendment 249 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20 a. Calls on the Commission to ensure consistency between the objectives and purpose of the Sustainable Use Directive and the Regulation 1107/2009;
Amendment 252 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Calls on the Commission to immediately prohibit the use of pesticides withproperly apply Regulation 1107/2009 on the placing on the market of active substances that are mutagenic, carcinogenic, or toxic for reproduction, or active substances that have endocrine- disrupting characteristics and are damaging to humans or animals;