EU decision could raise cost of food

A DECISION by the European Parliament on the regulation of plant protection products has been criticised by the Agricultural Science Association.

ASA president Gerry Scully said the decision could result in the banning of up to 60% of the top 10 plant protection products.

This would mean devastating consequences for yields and income in tillage farming.

“The European Parliament has ignored the overwhelming scientific evidence on the safety of plant protection products.

“As well as seriously restricting the use of long established and proven safe products, the decision would also restrict the development and use of new products.” he said.

Mr Scully warned that unless the decision is amended by the EU Council of Agriculture Ministers, the ability of Irish and EU farmers to produce sufficient quantities of safe, quality food will be dramatically curtailed. Stressing Ireland’s unique vulnerability to wet weather fungal diseases, he said restrictions on the use of scientifically proven products would have greater implications for yields, quality, incomes and employment here.

“If the decision was reflected in EU legislation, the end result would be an increase in imports of food that is not produced to rigorous EU standards. With world food stocks at their lowest level in decades, the cost of food would also increase,” he said.