WRITTEN QUESTION P-1087/01

by Ulla Sandbæk (EDD) to the Commission

(26 March 2001)

Subject: Discharge of pesticides and the sixth environment action programme

In its sixth environment action programme, the Commission highlights the fact that 65 % of the drinking water in Europe comes from groundwater, which should be viewed in the light of the steadily increasing level of pollution of groundwater by pesticides throughout Europe. The Commission's objective in this field is to achieve a situation in which the concentration of pesticides in our surroundings do not entail significant risks to or impacts on human health and the environment. To achieve that goal, according to the Commission, the risk involved in the use of pesticides must be reduced.

What specific targets, including deadlines and maximum values for residue concentrations, is the Commission working towards to put an end to pesticide pollution of ground water?

In the Commission's view, what constitutes significant risks to or impacts on human health and the environment, and what practical steps will the Commission take to minimise the risk involved in and ensure better control of the use of pesticides?

What, in specific terms, does a revision of Directive 91/414(1) concerning the placing of plant protection products on the market entail, and how is that in keeping with the Commission's objectives?

(1) OJ L 230, 19.8.1991, p. 1.

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(31 May 2001)

On water protection policy, the Community has just finalised a thorough review, by adopting in October 2000 the Water Framework Directive 2000/60/EC(1). This Directive sets the legally binding objective that all waters including groundwaters have to achieve good status within a set deadline of 15 years at the latest. Such good status is further defined as being in compliance with quality standards applicable under other relevant Community legislation.

Tools for achieving such good status are programmes of measures to be established and implemented in a legally binding way, in order to achieve the defined target within the deadline. Those programmes of measures have to follow a combined approach of addressing pollution at the source (emission control) and quality standards for water. The programmes are complementary to existing Community legislation relevant for water protection, including the Plant Protection Directive 91/414/EEC(2), without of course changing their already set implementation deadlines.

The Commission is currently preparing a report to the Parliament and Council on Directive 91/414/EEC where this issue will be addressed.

For particularly hazardous substances a phasing out is foreseen within a maximum time frame of 2020, i.e. a cessation of discharges, emissions and losses. Details are to be addressed by specific measures as foreseen in Article 16 of the Water Framework Directive. The Commission has already presented to the Parliament and Council the list of priority hazardous substances including the substances to be phased out(3). Amongst those substances to be phased out is one pesticide (lindane) where a Commission Decision to withdraw all plant protection uses from the market was taken last December(4), others are under a re-evaluation process at EU level.

However, meeting maximum admissible quality standards for groundwater is not sufficient. This is why the Water Framework Directive aims at preventing any upward trends of groundwater pollution, be it by pesticides or other pollutants. Details have to be addressed by specific measures as foreseen in Article 17 of the Water Framework Directive, and the Commission is obliged to present to the Parliament and Council a Proposal for a Daughter Directive on Groundwater Protection by December 2002.

Moreover the Commission is currently preparing a thematic strategy on the sustainable use of pesticides.

(1) OJ L 327, 22.12.2000.

(2) OJ L 230, 19.8.1991.

(3) COM(2001) 17 final.

(4) OJ L 324, 21.12.2000.