SPEECH/02/535
Margot Wallström
European Commissioner for Environment
Towards a sustainable use of plant
protection products
Stakeholders' Conference on the Development of a Thematic
Strategy on the Sustainable Use of Pesticides
4 November 2002
Dear Members of Parliament, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am pleased that so many of you are here today to participate in this first broad
discussion on the sustainable use of pesticides. In fact, many more people would
have liked to participate, which was not possible. This strong interest clearly
indicates the importance of our discussions today.
In July of this year, the Commission adopted a Communication entitled ‘Towards a
Thematic Strategy on the Sustainable Use of Pesticides’, which at the same time
launched a process of consultation
The Thematic Strategy is announced in the Sixth Environment Action Programme,
our guiding framework programme for the next ten years. Together with the
European Parliament and the Council, the Commission is keen to involve
stakeholders in an early discussion of future policy so your presence here today is
important for all of us. . This is of course fully in line with our pledges on new
governance practices and better regulation. We look forward to a constructive
dialogue and exchange of views during today’s meeting as well as over the course
of the entire consultation process.
The Communication presents a range of possibilities and possible measures,
specific concerns and in some cases the preferences of the Commission. In order
not to put any limitations on the upcoming discussions, I am deliberately not now
highlighting our preliminary thinking. Besides, I believe that you are all familiar with
the contents.
What I would like to stress, though, is that the Communication is based on a
number of studies and experience gained in the Member States.
The challenge in now formulating the strategy itself is to combine a high level of
protection of the environment and human health while de-coupling environmental
pressures and economic growth, and at the same time ensuring the long term
economic and social sustainability of Europe’s agriculture. In short, we wish to strike
the right balance between the three pillars of ‘sustainability’ - environmental, social
and economic concerns.
Before we start our discussions, let me remind you of something I read recently in
the International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health where Prof.
Kiefer from the University of Washington states:
‘With the exception of antipersonnel chemicals such as war gases, pesticides are
the only toxic chemicals that we deliberately release into the environment which,
by definition, are intended to cause harm to some living thing’.
This sentence might shock you, but it does reflect the fact that society has already
accepted to take some risks with the deliberate release of pesticides, especially
plant protection products. I think it is generally recognised by society that plant
protection products are necessary to maintain food safety and food security.
Nevertheless, we must guarantee that the level of use and the risks for human
health and the environment associated with this use are kept to the absolute
minimum.
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So the question is, were we, and are we still, irresponsible for having accepted the
use of dangerous chemicals? I do not think so. For many years, plant protection
products could only be used after having received individual authorisation based on
very comprehensive risk assessments. Over time, the safety requirements in this
authorisation process have evolved considerably and many precautions are taken
today during the evaluation process which is carried out under Directive 91/414
concerning the placing on the market of plant protection products.
So is that enough? The Directive certainly goes a long way to ensuring that the risks
associated with the use of plant protection products are reduced to an acceptable
level before these products are actually used. Unfortunately, as can be seen from
last year’s Commission report marking the tenth anniversary of Directive 91/414, the
Directive does not function as well as it should. In addition, the Directive is not very
specific when it comes to the use-phase or application of plant protection products
after they have been authorised.
In order to address these shortcomings, the 6th Environment Action Programme
requires a two-track approach for the future treatment of pesticides:

On the one hand -- full implementation of the existing regulatory framework, in
particular Directive 91/414, which also needs to be revised. This process has
already begun. One of the important elements in this revision will be the
inclusion of the substitution principle and the associated comparative
assessment, which will guarantee that, where there is a choice, only the least
hazardous alternative will be available to the final user.
 On the other hand -- more attention to the USE PHASE of the products. This is
where our thematic strategy plays an important role.
It is obvious that we need indicators against which to measure and monitor the
progress that will be achieved by implementing the future thematic strategy.
We can consider the existing Community and Member States monitoring
programmes for pesticides residues in human food as delivering one key indicator.
As you may know, the Commission published last May the latest report on the
monitoring of residues in plant products. Although encouraging overall, the report
gave a strong warning regarding use of plant protection products. For example, the
results indicate that in 4.3% of the samples Maximum Residue Levels were
exceeded. Although the monitoring was targeted on areas of high risk, these
exceedences are in my view too high.
When looking at environmental monitoring, it must be recognised that not enough
information is available, and what little there is gives rise to concern regarding the
presence of pesticides in different environmental media. For instance, in the context
of the Water Framework Directive, the Commission and the Member States are still
struggling to organise and harmonise the monitoring work carried out by Member
States. This is clearly fundamental before starting any management activities. In
addition, much more work is needed in the area of soil contamination and protection
from pesticides.
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But to get back to the work before us today, I am looking forward to hearing the
views of the speakers who will take the floor later on in this session. I invite all of
you to give us your views and constructive feedback on how to achieve a more
sustainable use of plant protection products. Later during the day, three working
groups will focus on:
 water protection,
 integrated crop management and,
 national reduction plans.
I would also like to point out that we have also organised an Internet consultation
since the publication of the Communication. Some contributions are already
available on our web-site.
Before I leave you to start your work, I would like to highlight the three major
objectives, which I hope we will achieve throughout the consultation period:
First, to begin with the collection of the information and experience gained by
Member States, industry, farmers’ organisations, the food and retail sector and
NGOs. In this regard, I would like to encourage you to inform all other stakeholders
of your views on what is feasible in a Strategy on the Sustainable Use of Pesticides.
Secondly, to stimulate an exchange of views among stakeholders during and after
the Conference (through the Internet Forum or other consulting activities) and to
find compromises and areas of convergence rather than focus on divergent
positions.
And, thirdly, to pave the way for the future Thematic Strategy by indicating to us the
guiding principles you would like to see developed in the near future or longer term.
Lastly, I would like to underline that not all solutions have to be in the form of
legislation. Your full commitment to action and voluntary measures, beyond the
letter of the law, will be essential to achieving our goal: namely more sustainability
and a minimal impact from PPPs (plant protection products) on health and the
environment.
Your input today will help guide us as we move from the Communication into
concrete proposals or actions. I am convinced that through good mutual
understanding and co-operation, we will be able to maintain tight deadlines and that
we will be ready to propose a Thematic Strategy by early 2004.
I wish you all success with the discussions today. Thank you for your attention.
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