Pesticides vote MEPs accused of pushing up food bills

MEPs were today accused of pushing up food prices after voting to slash the use of pesticides in farming.

The European Parliament’s environment committee approved new ways of assessing the risk of potentially hazardous sprays to protect crops and plants.

In effect the changes – if endorsed by EU governments – mean far fewer pesticides being authorised in Europe on health and safety grounds.

The new health and safety criteria are part of a goal to halve the use of toxic products in European farming by 2013.

But the National Farmers Union says the result could be a doubling in the price of vegetables because of lower crop yields.

And British MEP and farmer Robert Sturdy, who opposed the change, also warned consumers could face “far higher” prices for staple household foods, including bread and potatoes.

Mr Sturdy said: “This legislation threatens already hard pressed consumers who are now even more likely to see their monthly food bill go up.

“With the current worries over food prices and food security it seems absurd that MEPs are voting on these proposals without the benefit of an impact assessment to make a more informed decision.”

He acknowledged the need for laws to protect human health and the environment from what he called “pesticide abuse”.

But Mr Sturdy went on: “However it must be ensured that we do not unnecessarily ban substances that protect crop yields and are safe for consumers.”