Brussels
EU Health and Consumer Affair's Commissionor John Dalli has been asked to encourage faster, stronger implementation of pesticides policy in an open letter from the Health and Environment Alliance and Pesticides Action Network Europe (1).
As a result of recent EU legislation, Member States are asked to reduce pesticide use to protect health and the environment. But groups are concerned that deadlines related to National Action Plans on the sustainable use of pesticides scheduled for 14 December 2011 and 2012 will not be met. (2)
HEAL and PAN Europe are calling on EU Health Commissioner John Dalli to take a more pro-active role in protecting effect of pesticides to which we are exposed and possible long-term effects. But we can reduce exposure now," says Anne Stauffer, Policy Manager, Health and Environment Alliance.
Recent EU law requires countries to set up action plans and to establish pesticide-free areas. "By making pesticide reduction a priority in 2011, EU Commissioner Dalli can put prevention first. Reduced use of pesticides will reduce
During the past few months, PAN Europe and HEAL have monitored EU Member States activities on National Action Plans. They are increasingly concerned with the slow and uneven implementation of the EU Directive on Sustainable use. (4)
"We need the European Commission to provide stronger guidance and inspiration for EU Member states and to collect and disseminate information on best practice and alternatives to pesticide dependency to ensure real progress is made in the implementation of the National Action Plans in countries," says Henriette Christensen, PAN Europe. (5)
Ill-health and health care costs in developed countries continues to be dominated by chronic disease. Cancer incidence is expected to rise by 14% in the European Union between 2009 and 2020. There is a growing body of science that shows the link between cancer and chemical and pesticides pollution, particularly for pregnant women and farmers. (6)
Public opinion surveys reveal a continued high concern of European citizens about health impacts from pesticides in all aspects of their lives. A recent Eurobarometer shows that pesticide residues in food are a number one worry for 72% of EU consumers, a higher percentage than in 2005.(7) Europeans are also concerned about hazards from
pesticide use in their homes. As a Eurobarometer from 2009 on chemicals in consumer products highlights, the top worry for Europeans is the potential health impact from pesticides and herbicides for home use (in gardens and greenhouses).
14 December each year over coming years is the deadline for compliance on different aspects of the new EU Directive on the Sustainable use of pesticides. HEAL and PAN Europe sent the letter yesterday to remind
Commissioner Dalli that European citizens are counting on his leadership for better health protection through ambitious national implementation.
-- ENDS --
Background notes:
For further information please contact:
Anne Stauffer, Policy Manager, Health and Environment Alliance
Tel: +32 2 234 3643, Mobile: +32 473 711092
Henriette Christensen, Policy Adviser, Pesticide Action Network Europe
Tel+ 32 2 503 08 37 2
diana [at] gsmith.com.fr, Communications, Health and Environment Alliance
