Lobbying
The HTA working for its members EU ban on neonicotinoids
Following a vote in Brussels on 29 April the European Commission (EC) will restrict the use of three neonicotinoids for amateur gardeners from1 December 2013. The ban applies to clothianidin, imidacloprid and thiamethoxam for seed treatment, soil application (granules) and foliar treatment on bee-attractive plants and cereals. The restrictions won’t apply to crops non-attractive to bees, or to winter cereals, and there will be potential exemptions for professional use to treat bee-attractive crops in greenhouses and in open-air fields after flowering. The HTA is seeking clarity on these exemptions fromthe UK’s
Chemicals Regulations Directorate. Fifteen countries voted in favour of
the ban, eight against (including the UK) and four countries abstained. Although inconclusive, this provided an ‘unqualified majority’ which enables the EC to push ahead with its proposals. TheUKvoted against the ban after publishing itsownresearch inMarchon the impact of neonicotinoids on bumble bees in the field, the conclusion of which was that bees are not harmed under normal use and circumstances. HTADirector of business development
TimBriercliffe said, ‘It is disappointing that the EC has failed to take into account Defra’s latest research on the
impact of neonicotinoids on bumble bees in the field which concluded that there is minimal risk under existing conditions of regulated use. ‘Furthermore, we believe the level of
exposure is lower for bees in gardens, and there is no scientific justification for the removal of these products from amateur garden use.’ He added,‘We congratulate the UK
Government in voting against the ban until the scientific evidence justifies it; we are disappointed that the EC is pushing through with it in the absence of such evidence. This is a worrying precedent for the future of European decision making on pesticide issues.’
EU plant health proposals emerge
TheHTAwelcomesmuchofwhat is contained inEUproposals publishedon20May regarding plant health, plant reproductive material and official controls, althoughmore work is needed in
someareas.The proposed regulations are part of a package of measures adopted by theEuropeanCommission aimed at modernising and simplifying the agri-food chain. Speaking after the launch of the package,HTA Director
of business development TimBriercliffe said, ‘TheHTA is pleased to see that some of our key lobbying objectives have already been recognised in the package of measures just published. These include: those involved in transporting plants for growers will not be required to register under the plant health regulation; recognition that replacement plant passports can be issued to maintain commercially sensitive information;
14 HTAnewsI June 2013 I
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exceptions meaning that plant passports are not required for the final user; and some lessening of the requirements for the passport itself.’ TimBriercliffe continued,‘We recognise thatmore work
needs to be done as negotiations continue, not least in fully understanding the possible implications for traditional varieties, plant reproductive material for gardeners, smallmarkets and labelling of forest reproductive
material.To that end theHTA will be meeting with other stakeholders andDefra
shortly.The EuropeanCommission has said it wants to modernise and simplify the current system.Wemustmakesure that there arenoharmful unintended consequences.’ The package of measures published by theEuropean Commission is expected tocomeinto force in 2016.
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