WRITTEN QUESTION E-1700/96 by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission (24 June 1996)

Subject: Maximum levels for pesticide residues in fruit and vegetables, cereals and foodstuffs

With regard to the proposal for a Council Directive (COM(95)0272) ((OJ C 201, 5.8.1995, p. 8. )) amending Council Directive 76/895/EEC ((OJ L 340, 9.12.1976, p. 26. )) of 23 November 1996 relating to the fixing of maximum levels for pesticide residues in and on fruit and vegetables, Council Directive 86/362/EEC ((OJ L 221, 7.8.1986, p. 37. )) of 24 July 1986 on the fixing of maximum levels for pesticide residues in and on cereals, Council Directive 86/363/EEC ((OJ L 221, 7.8.1986, p. 43. )) of 24 July 1986 on the fixing of maximum levels for pesticide residues in and on foodstuffs of animal origin, and Council Directive 90/642/EEC ((OJ L 350 14.12.1990, p. 71. )) of 27 November 1990 on the fixing of maximum levels for pesticide residues in and on certain products of plant origin, including fruit and vegetables, does the Commission not consider that these measures are an obstacle to crop diversification?

In the case of major crops or crops cultivated extensively at European level there are MRL for virtually all pesticides, whereas for less widely grown crops, which may well in future be the right option for farming in small areas, there will probably be no means of protection against pests in that no research into suitable pesticides is being conducted by the private sector.

Joint answer to Written Questions E-1700/96, E-1701/96 and E-1702/96 given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (5 September 1996)

The Commission is aware of the need for the availability of adequate plant protection treatments for the cultivation of minor crops and has already taken certain initiatives to achieve this objective when establishing maximum pesticide residue levels. These measures, whilst maintaining a high level of consumer protection, allow for reduced residue trial data for certain minor crops with a low dietary intake and, where possible, for the extrapolation of data between crops.

The Commission can fully agree with the necessity for research and development in the field of plant protection. Considerable research investment is undertaken by the commercial operators involved in the plant protection industry. For its part, the Community deploys considerable resources in its research and technological (RTD) programme 'Fair'. This programme is currently dealing, inter alia, with the following topics:

- development of non-chemical or low-chemical methods (e.g. integrated crop management), mechanical equipment and techniques promoting practices which are more environmentally friendly and give greater protection to the environment (water, soil, landscape, etc.) to reduce contamination and erosion and increase production efficiency (including biological means of pest control and biotechnology);

- improvement of non-chemical (mechanical techniques, crop management, genetic resistance) and low-chemical and biological methods of crop protection (major and minor crops) and post-harvest treatment, in particular for the most harmful organisms;

- prediction of environmental fate of agrochemicals and effect on the environment and on human health.

Finally, in the framework of the 5th environment action programme ((COM(94) 453 final. )), the Commission is also sponsoring a project on the sustainable use of plant protection products in order to identify appropriate instruments whereby reduced use and impact of plant protection products on the environment may be achieved.