I have just issued a press release for Euro-MP Robert Sturdy warning of the wide-ranging impact of the controversial Pesticide Directive which will be voted on by the European Parliament in Strasbourg next week. It is a directive which will affect all our daily lives and is causing Robert much concern.
As it stands, the proposals could lead to food shortages in the 
European Union, and even restrict the use of pesticides used by rose growers in their front garden if it borders a public footpath, as so many do.
It wants to ban the use of weed killers in public places, and also wants farmers to notify their neighbours in writing every time they use pesticides on their land. How feasible is that? And who is going to monitor this?
Robert’s view is that the EU already has adequate legislation to protect human health and the environment, that these proposals are not backed by scientific data.
This is the press release we have issued:
Euro-MP Robert Sturdy has warned that proposed restrictions on the use of pesticides could lead to a severe reduction in the quantity of food produced by farmers in future years, resulting in food shortages throughout the European Union.
As proposed, it will also ban the use of weed killers in public places, and farmers will have to notify their neighbours in writing every time they use pesticides on their land.
Further proposals with far reaching effects include setting buffer zones around all areas where pesticides are used, such as private gardens, public greens, school grounds, playing fields, golf courses and allotments, as well as water courses likes streams, rivers and lakes, to protect against contaminants in water.
Mr Sturdy will next week vote against the 1st reading of the controversial Pesticides Directive at the European Parliament in Strasbourg. Pesticide producers and farmers are concerned that the proposals are heavy-handed and will lead to the disappearance of many substances which have been used safely by farmers for many years and which farmers need to protect their crops from disease.
Although it is aimed at protecting human health and the environment from dangerous or excessive use of pesticides in agriculture, producers fear the draft new rules could end up forcing dozens of substances out of the market "based purely on political perception", with no scientific proof.
As a farmer himself, Mr Sturdy believes the directive is unnecessary as present legislation adequately covers the safety issues concerning pesticides, that there is already more than sufficient protection within the water framework and good codes of practice to protect our waterways. He said these new laws would create considerable difficulties for an already devastated industry at a time when they needed support more than ever.
Mr Sturdy has warned that proposals to set targets to reduce the use of pesticides by 25% in five years, with a 50% reduction in 10 years, would almost certainly lead to a reduced crop yield for farmers, resulting in shortages of food and biofuels.
Mr Sturdy said:
“What disturbs me the most is that the recommendations are not based on scientific evidence, yet these proposed restrictions could have a devastating impact on all our communities, reducing food production, as well as causing unnecessary bureaucracy and confusion in our communities. What will this mean for gardeners who want to spray their roses in their front gardens to protect them from greenfly if it borders a public footpath?
“If the proposals adopted by the Environment Committee are upheld, EU agriculture and the production of food and biofuels will be seriously threatened. Plant Production Products are essential for crop protection and production, and without them we will not be able to meet demand for food and fuel.”
Due to the complex nature of the pesticide reports, it will undoubtedly return to parliament for a second reading when Mr Sturdy will continue to propose any necessary amendments to protect the interests of farmers, consumers and the general public.
*The pic on the left shows the most beautiful rose garden I have visited at Houghton Hall in Norfolk, home of Sir Robert Walpole, our first prime minister. The other pic shows me visiting Stow Hall, also in Norfolk, on their gardens open day.
Update 20 October: My press release makes today’s Daily Mail.
Hi Elle,
and whose that beauty among the flowers in paradise.
What can the EU do to our gardens?
Well the Romans brought the first apples, and grapes – not sure if they brought the roses too
What is it all 1001 varieties of apples we have, indeed all apples are said to be descended from a forest (or should I say orchard) somewhere in Afghanistan?
I believe that we should have the right to decide…not Europe. Once again Gordon Brown has lied to us all by surrendering our powers to the EU after promising a referendum. What must those brave Battle of Britain survivors be thinking now!!
However,on the issue of pesticides,especially in our food chain, this is an issue that has always concerned me.
In our gardens and public parks, children are more likely to come into contact with pesticides when playing, and are less immune to their side effects on their nervous systems,
so I do think further research is necessary.
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Q9, I adore beautiful gardens, have sadly neglected mine since I started writing a blog. I can’t eat too many apples either.
Stephen, what about potential infections that can be caught from dogs fouling our public parks and paths? The list could be endless if you wanted to worry about everything.
Love the photo of you amongst the roses, my pretty and talented UK friend.
Good post Ellee. The use of fertilizers and pesticides has enabled us to feed so many more.
What lovely photos you have chosen for this post.
Ellee, Your headline ought to read:
“How much longer will the British people stand interference by stealth from a foreign power?”
(I believe UKIP or the recently formed New Party have the answer)
I don’t know enough about this issue to comment , Ellee – but you look lovely.
Speaking with an artist friend yesterday. His favourite white oil paint (Flake White) will shortly no longer be available, banned by the Govt , presumably via the EU, as it has white lead in it.
Said artist is 42, and thus old enough to decide whether he is prepared to take any risk with his materials – even tho’ one assume the main danger is from eating the paint – but no, Gordon says he can’t have it any more, so that’s that
I had no difficulty in deciding which of the two pictures was the prettiest 😉
Of course it is pesticides which are considered to be at least partly responsible for the demise of our urban sparrows.
You do look gorgeous, Ellee.
A Greek Goddess 😉
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