WRITTEN QUESTION P-3215/02

by Patricia McKenna (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(6 November 2002)

Subject: Indiscriminate use of poisonous spray (malathion) in the citrus-growing areas of the Valencia Region

Since July 2002 the citrus-growing districts of the Valencia Region, which in practice cover all the land at an altitude of less than 300 metres (La Ribera Alta, La Ribera Baja, La Foia de Buñol, La Costera, La Safor, La Canal, L'Horta, El Camp de Morvedre, La Marína, La Plana, etc.) and are precisely where most of the population live, are being sprayed from the air with malathion. The fields are sprayed quite indiscriminately,

without regard for other crops growing between them, such as vegetables and rice, which do not harbour fruit flies, or for citrus trees that are too young to be attacked by flies, to say nothing of people who might be around when the crop-spraying planes pass. Malathion is an organophosphate poison, which can cause dermatitis and reproductive disorders in humans.

The crop-spraying is even carried out in inhabited areas since a large number of dwellings are scattered over the fields especially in summer, when more people live there. This means that they are exposed directly to the spray when they are in the open air, as well as indirectly, when they breathe in the poison near where it falls or when they swim in pools.

Farmers working in the fields are also exposed to the poison when the crop-sprayers fly over.

Furthermore, in the agricultural areas planes fly past the surrounding habitations, spraying them too, and when the wind blows towards the town it carries with it part of the toxic rain, and the whole population breathes it in.

Vegetables are often grown between the citrus groves and they too are sprayed with poison. This produce is harvested and sold on an almost daily basis and therefore reaches the consumer with poisonous residues without any safety period having elapsed.

The poison also falls on all the creatures living in the fields, including useful and legally protected ones, causing them further damage and making their survival increasingly difficult.

Does the Commission have evidence concerning the above?

What steps will it take to safeguard the health of the population and the environment in the Valencia Region?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(3 December 2002)

The Commission would like to refer the Honourable Member to the response given to written question E-3552/00 by Mr Papayannakis(1) explaining the legal provisions concerning the placing on the market of plant protection products.

Malathion is an active substance which was on the market before Council Directive 91/414/EEC of 15 July 1991 concerning the placing of plant protection products on the market(2) entered into force. It is currently being evaluated under Commission Regulation (EC) No 451/2000 of 28 February 2000 laying down the detailed rules for the implementation of the second and third stages of the review programme of existing active substances, in accordance with the provisions of Directive 91/414/EEC(3).

Finland is the Rapporteur Member State for malathion and received a dossier within the foreseen deadline (30 April 2002). The assessment by Finland will be evaluated by the European Food Safety Authority. The Commission has committed to finalise decision making on possible inclusion of the active substances of the 2nd stage before the end of 2005.

Until the examination is finalised Member States can continue to authorise plant protection products containing malathion on the basis of the general safety requirements of Article 4 of the Directive and national data requirements. This covers also the authorisation for its aerial application.

The Commission is aware of the problems that spray-drift from aerial spraying of pesticides may cause. The Commission is currently developing a thematic strategy on the sustainable use of plant protection products which covers also aerial spraying. The elaboration of this strategy includes a consultation process launched by a Communication(4) adopted on 1 July 2002. In the Communication, the Commission expressed its intention to propose a general ban on aerial spraying, with specific derogation to be authorised by Member States if aerial spraying presents clear advantages and also environmental benefits compared to other spraying methods. The adoption of the Commission proposal for the thematic strategy itself is foreseen for early 2004.

(1) OJ C 174 E, 19.6.2001.

(2) OJ L 230, 19.8.1991.

(3) OJ L 55, 29.2.2000.

(4) COM(2002) 349 final.