Press releases

"The European Commission has endangered public health for many years by failing to protect food supplies from excessive pesticide contamination."

Environmental campaigners have expressed qualified support for today's official signing by the European Parliament of an historic set of laws on pesticides.

In one of the final legislative acts of the 2004-2009 Parliamentary session, soon to adjourn prior to elections in June, the European Parliament today confirmed its support for a new deal on EU pesticides legislation.

Largest ever supermarket survey reveals dangerous levels of pesticides in grapes; LIDL is Europe's greenest supermarket

Following months of political negotiations, the Parliamentary Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) today voted on proposals for a Regulation and Framework Directive on the use and authorisation of pesticides.

Fruits, vegetables and cereals sold throughout the European Union contain record levels of pesticides - according to an official report to be published later this month.

From 1 September 2008, the maximum legal limits on the level of pesticides allowed in food items sold in the EU will dramatically increase.

The UK government is today participating in a media initiative aimed at attacking proposed European legislation that would remove the most hazardous pesticides from food produce grown in the EU.

Agriculture Ministers from across Europe today approved the creation of an EU-wide pesticides blacklist.

Following weeks of heavy handed lobbying from the pesticides industry, and amid a lack of consensus among Member States, the European Commission this afternoon came out fighting for better EU pesticides legislation.