Yesterday, EU Agriculture Ministers gathered in Brussels for the first Agriculture Council held during the Spanish Presidency of the EU. Unfortunately, they were unable to reach an agreement on the Regulation (EU) concerning the use of plant protection products and biocides. While most ministers emphasized the need for detailed technical discussions on the study despite their doubts about its comprehensiveness, they expressed their willingness to continue working constructively on the proposal. The goal is to reach an agreement on this crucial issue before the legislative cycle concludes.
During the meeting, the EU ministers examined the Commission’s study, published on July 5, which complements the impact assessment on sustainable pesticide use. Some Agriculture Ministers pointed out that the study still lacks certain significant elements related to the impact of reducing plant protection products, especially concerning the quantitative evaluation of the proposal in each member state. The reduction of pesticide uses and its replacement with sustainable alternatives is one of the objectives for 2030, aiming to decrease the risks associated with plant protection products (PPP) by 50% and, consequently, ensure food safety. The ministers reiterated their opposition to mandatory national reduction targets and advocated for flexibility, allowing each member state to consider its previous achievements and specific conditions in establishing their own reduction objectives.
These initiatives are part of the European Green Deal, specifically the ‘Farm to Fork’ and Biodiversity strategies. However, member states are concerned about the European Commission’s impact assessment, as it includes data collected and analyzed before the outbreak of the Russo-Ukrainian war. They believe that the long-term impact on food security has not been adequately considered. Additionally, many ministers expressed concerns about the definition of “sensitive areas,” the limited availability of non-chemical alternatives to pesticides, the impact on food prices and security, and the potential increase in administrative burden on small farms.
LIFE NextFUMIGREEN
The LIFE NextFUMIGREEN project will test the effectiveness of a new type of fumigant plant protection product based on natural ingredients to protect the most representative crops in greenhouses. The main objective of the LIFE NextFUMIGREEN project is to develop natural fumigants using active substances extracted from plant extracts to control populations of whitefly (Bemisia tabaci and Trialeurodes vaporariorum) and other pests (thrips, aphids, tomato moth, etc.) in intensively developed horticultural crops under greenhouse conditions. Led by the Spanish company FumiHogar, the project has five other partners: the Foundation for Auxiliary Agricultural Technologies (TECNOVA), the Finnova Foundation, B&B Environmental Auditors Advisers, Comercial Quimica Masso, and BrioAgro Tech. With a total budget of €2,758,921.01, 60% of which is funded by the LIFE program, the project will run for 4 years and 6 months, until May 31, 2027.
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