WRITTEN QUESTION P-1619/03

by Caroline Lucas (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(7 May 2003)

Subject: Exposure of residents and long-term bystanders to pesticides

On 27 March 2003 the European Parliament adopted the Van Brempt report, Towards a thematic strategy on the sustainable use of pesticides (2002/2277(INI)), which called on the Commission, before the end of 2003, to propose a ban on the use of pesticides in areas close to inhabited zones.

Furthermore, the Commission itself acknowledged in its Thematic Strategy communication(1) that potential exposure of bystanders and residents to pesticides via the air might constitute an exposure route, which needs further attention by research and possibly also regulatory measures.

Given that the EU has adopted the precautionary principle as a guiding concept, and given that several million citizens of the EU live in zones close to fields where pesticides are regularly sprayed, what plans does the Commission have to introduce a ban on the use of pesticides in areas close to inhabited zones?

While risk assessments for operators already exist, there appears to be currently no research into the risks for residents and long-term bystanders. The UK Government, for example, recently admitted that direct measurements of long-term bystanders living adjacent to a treated area have not been made in the UK. What are the Commission's intentions for action to remedy this situation?

Will the Commission also introduce new regulations to require farmers to disclose publicly the pesticides which they are using, and to give prior notification before any spraying application?

(1) COM(2002) 349 final.

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(10 June 2003)

The Commission recalls the Parliament's broad support expressed in its Resolution on the Commission Communication Towards a thematic strategy on the sustainable use of pesticides, in particular towards the general approach, the main objectives, and many of the potential measures presented in the Communication.

In this context, the Commission notes in particular the suggestions for additional restrictions and bans of the use of pesticides in certain areas, such as those close to inhabited zones. The Parliament asks the Commission to propose such bans before the end of 2003.

The Commission would like to inform the Honourable Member that the numerous detailed comments and requests contained in the Resolution are being fully considered in the ongoing development of the future thematic strategy and the proposal to amend Council Directive 91/414/EEC of 15 July 1991 concerning the placing of plant protection products on the market(1). In line with the general wish expressed by the Parliament and the Council the Commission will, before proposing measures, first evaluate their environmental, economic, and social impacts. This entails that it will be difficult to present any such proposal within the time schedule requested by the Parliament.

The Commission would like to recall that the exposure of bystanders to plant protection products is already assessed by Member States and the Commission within the scope of the evaluations of active substances made under Directive 91/414/EEC, minimising already in this way the risks for workers and bystanders before the placing on the market of those products.

The Commission agrees that further research into the impacts of pesticides on human health and the environment is necessary. The Commission recalls that more than 200 projects related to pesticides have been funded under the 5th Community framework programme for research and technological development. Also within the 6th Community framework programme, a specific chapter is dedicated to this area to support policy development.

Finally, concerning the request to establish requirements for farmers to disclose publicly the pesticides which they are using, and to give prior notification before any spraying application, the Commission will evaluate the impacts, including the potential benefits and costs, of such a measure in its development of the Thematic Strategy on the Sustainable Use of Pesticides.

(1) OJ L 230, 19.8.1991.