Abandonment by the Commission of its intention to ban 31 pesticides containing endocrine disrupters, under pressure from the USA

30.5.2015

Question for written answer E-008694-15
to the Commission
Rule 130
Sophie Montel (NI) , Dominique Bilde (NI)

According to documents obtained by the Pesticide Action Network Europe, representatives of American business have induced the European Union to abandon the plan to ban 31 pesticides containing endocrine disrupters which can promote cancer and male infertility, as part of the negotiations on the transatlantic treaty.

We learn, for example, that on 26 June 2013, a high-level delegation from the US Chamber of Commerce visited European Union decision-makers to insist that the European Union abandon the new criteria that it was intending to adopt for the identification of endocrine disrupters. And the Union ultimately caved in to these demands from representatives of the USA who do not consider it worthwhile to establish categories and lists of illegal substances. Accordingly, legislation scheduled for 2014 has been postponed until 2016 despite the medical consequences indicated above. This blackmail by the USA shows that, even before the Transatlantic Free Trade Area Agreement (TAFTA) has been signed, it is already having a damaging impact.

Will the Commission for once pursue a policy of transparency by informing us about this matter, or will it continue, behind the scenes, to serve transatlantic interests to the detriment of the health of people in Europe?