Evaluation of plant protection product safety

14.3.2002

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0823/02
by Karl von Wogau (PPE-DE)
to the Commission

Is the Commission aware that the absence of an evaluation of plant protection product safety has led to uncertainty amongst both consumers and farmers?

 

By when does it expect to have completed the safety evaluation?

 

How does it assess the distortions of competition and the uncertainty amongst consumers and farmers to which this situation has given rise?

 

Plant protection product residues were found in various types of fruit in Baden-Württemberg. A number of farmers admitted to buying plant protection products in Italy, where, it is claimed, the active substances can be bought at a seventh or even, in some cases, a tenth of their German price and active substances no longer authorised for use in Germany can be bought without any problem. It has been pointed out, however, that fruit from trees and bushes treated with such products can be marketed in any Member State, putting German farmers at a disadvantage. On the one hand, they are not allowed to use all pesticides, which could result in lower quality crops, and, on the other hand, they have to pay substantially more for plant protection products authorised for use in Germany. The end products are in direct competition with each other on the foodstuffs market.

OJ C 205 E, 29/08/2002