WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3121/97 by Jan MULDER to the Commission. Use of biological crop protection products in the European Union
Date: 1997-10-13
Institutions: European Parliament, MULDER
Subjects: European standard, OECD, biology, chemical product, consumer protection, environmental protection, marketing, microorganism, plant health product, public health













EUR-Lex - 91997E3121 - EN






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91997E3121

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3121/97 by Jan MULDER to the Commission. Use of biological crop protection products in the European Union  


Official Journal C 134 , 30/04/1998 P. 0089 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-3121/97 by Jan Mulder (ELDR) to the Commission (13 October 1997)Subject: Use of biological crop protection products in the European UnionIn its answer to my question E-1761/97 ((OJ C 76, 11.3.1998, p. 53.)) the Commission refers to certain measures which should improve the position of biological crop protection products in Europe. Can the Commission also indicate:1. When the fast-track procedure for the authorization of biological crop protection products can enter into force?2. When the harmonization in the framework of the OECD will be ready and whether the directives will be adjusted as a result?3. Whether the industry concerned will be consulted both on the development of the fast-track procedure and the OECD-related harmonization?4. Whether the Commission intends to encourage the use of biological products in the EU and whether it is prepared to make financial resources available to this end, for example to take responsibility for part of the costs of the registration tests so that the position of biological products can be strengthened by comparison with chemical products?Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (28 November 1997)1. A proposal amending Council Directive 91/414/EEC of 15 July 1991 concerning the placing of plant protection products on the market ((OJ L 230, 19.8.1991. )) is currently under preparation by the Commission. Given the complexity and sensitivity of the issues to be covered in the proposal, adoption by the Commission is not to be expected before the end of 1998. The date of the entry into force of the proposed measures will depend on the duration of the adoption procedure in which Parliament will be involved.2. The working document concerning the data requirements for micro-organisms, which was mentioned in the answer to written question E-1761/97 of the Honourable Member, has been forwarded to the Organisation for economic cooperation and development (OECD) secretariat. A period of three to four years in order to achieve harmonisation of OECD level seems realistic. Pending such harmonisation, the working document can be used as a guidance document for the applicants concerned in the Community.3. The relevant industry has already been contacted on the working document mentioned under point 2 and further consultations are foreseen.4. The Commission does not find it appropriate to finance part of the costs for the authorisation of plant protection products. The Commission is of the opinion that the measures mentioned in the reply to written question E-1761/97 can contribute to an easier authorisation of plant protection products containing micro-organisms as far as it is demonstrated that the risks from use of such products are lower than those that can generally be expected from chemical plant protection products.