EC proposal will impact crop production, farmers group warns

COMMERCIAL cereal, horticultural and potato production in Ireland could end if a European Commission proposal to limit plant protection products goes ahead, the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) has warned.

IFA president Padraig Walshe said the restriction would see a drop of 50% in cereals and total crop failure of many horticulture lines, leading to the decimation of arable production.

“The implications of this decision will be very serious for arable production across Europe. It is imperative that we retain the current risk-based science assessment system for the approval of plant protection products,” he said