Today, an overwhelming majority of the Members of the European Parliament vetoed the European Commission's decision to allow residues of three EU-banned pesticides in certain imported food and feed products. This vote marks a significant victory for consumers and for EU and non-EU farmers. It also sends a strong message to the Commission that the new Parliament will stand up against a policy of double standards.
Carbendazim, thiophanate-methyl and cyproconazole can no longer be approved in the EU due to their proven harmful effects on human health, including carcinogenicity, reproductive toxicity, and endocrine disruption.
In the Commission’s decision, these three pesticides were set to be permitted in specific food and feed products only to please trade partners. The Parliament’s veto safeguards the EU's consumer protection standard, which is to prevent any human exposure to harmful pesticides. It also blocks a decision which would have put EU farmers in an unfair competition, while giving a green light for these very dangerous substances to be used in third countries.
"The European Parliament's veto forces the Commission to ban residues of these three banned pesticides. This is a victory for consumer safety, fair competition for EU farmers, and the health of workers worldwide. We thank the MEPs for standing firm, and we urge the European Commission to review its decision accordingly," Salomé Roynel, Policy Officer at PAN Europe.
Details: The objection to carbendazim and thiophanate-methyl was supported by 516 MEPs and the objection to cyproconazole by 522 MEPs.
Contact Salomé Roynel, Policy Officer, +32 2 318 62 55, salome [at] pan-europe.info
