Activities of Mazaly AGUILAR related to 2022/0196(COD)
Plenary speeches (1)
Sustainable use of plant protection products (debate)
Amendments (124)
Amendment 108 #
Proposal for a regulation
Title 1
Title 1
Proposal for a REGULATIONDIRECTIVE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL on the sustainable use of plant protection products and amending Regulation (EU) 2021/2115 (Text with EEA relevance)
Amendment 110 #
Proposal for a regulation
Citation 2 a (new)
Citation 2 a (new)
The European Parliament rejects the Commission proposal.
Amendment 114 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1 a (new)
Recital 1 a (new)
(1a) The treaty requires that the Common Agricultural POlicy objectives shall increase agricultural productivity by promoting technical progress and by ensuring the rational development of agricultural production and the optimal utilisation of the factors of production, to ensure a fair standard of living for the agricultural community, to stabilise markets, to assure the availability of supplies and to ensure that supplies reach consumers at reasonable prices.
Amendment 116 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2
Recital 2
(2) Directive 2009/128/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council37established a framework to achieve a sustainable use of pesticides by reducing the risks and impacts of the use of pesticides on human health and the environment. The evaluation38of that Directive found that it has not achieved its overall objectives and that the Member States did not implement it in a satisfactory manner. This conclusion was confirmed in reports from the Commission to the European Parliament and Council in 201739and 202040. The precautionary principle is set out in Article 191 of the Treaty, acknowledging that is already taken into account in of the authorisation procedure. _________________ 37 Directive 2009/128/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 October 2009 establishing a framework for Community action to achieve the sustainable use of pesticides (OJ L 309, 24.11.2009, p. 71). 38 [Reference to be inserted.] 39 Report from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council on Member State National Action Plans and on progress in the implementation of Directive 2009/128/EC on the sustainable use of pesticides COM(2017)587 final. 40 Report from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council on the experience gained by Member States on the implementation of national targets established in their National Action Plans and on progress in the implementation of Directive 2009/128/EC on the sustainable use of pesticides COM(2020) 204 final.
Amendment 124 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3 a (new)
Recital 3 a (new)
(3a) The European Parliament stressed the need for an impact assessment, the need to ensure food secuty, etc, in its resolution of 16 February 2023 on the Commssion communication on ensuring availability and affordability of fertilisers as global food security and food prices are threaten by the current geopolitical situation.
Amendment 135 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7
Recital 7
(7) The Commission Communication entitled ‘the European Green Deal’47set out a roadmap of key measures, including legislative, to significantly reduce the use and risk of chemical pesticides. In the Farm to Fork Strategy48, EU Biodiversity Strategy for 203049and the Zero Pollution Action Plan50, the Commission committed to take action to reduce by 50% the overall use and risk from chemical pesticides by 2030 and reduce by 50% the use of more hazardous pesticides (plant protection products containing one or more active substances approved as candidates for substitution in accordance with Article 24 of Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council51and listed in Part E of the Annex to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 540/201152, or containing one or more active substances listed in the Annex to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/40853) by 2030. The sustainable use of plant protection products is also complementary to the promotion of organic farming and achieving the Farm to Fork Strategy target of at least 25% of the Union’s agricultural land under organic farming by 2030. It supports the objectives of the EU strategic framework on health and safety at work54and thereby contributes to the implementation of principle 10 of the European Pillar of Social Rights on a healthy, safe and well-adapted work environment. As plant breeding and seed production contribute to the overall reduction targets, through the marketing of resistant varieties and the supply of healthy seeds to the market, the above mentioned activities are exempt from the overall reduction targets. _________________ 47 Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the European Council, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions The European Green Deal COM/2019/640 final. 48 Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions A Farm to Fork Strategy for a fair, healthy and environmentally-friendly food system, COM/2020/381 final. 49 Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions, EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 Bringing nature back into our lives, COM/2020/380 final. 50 Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions, Pathway to a Healthy Planet for All EU Action Plan: 'Towards Zero Pollution for Air, Water and Soil', COM(2021) 400 final. 51 Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 October 2009 concerning the placing of plant protection products on the market and repealing Council Directives 79/117/EEC and 91/414/EEC (OJ L 309, 24.11.2009, p. 1). 52 Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 540/2011 of 25 May 2011 implementing Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the list of approved active substances (OJ L 153, 11.6.2011, p. 1). 53 Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/408 of 11 March 2015 on implementing Article 80(7) of Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning the placing of plant protection products on the market and establishing a list of candidates for substitution (OJ L 67, 12.3.2015, p. 18). 54 Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions, EU strategic framework on health and safety at work 2021-2027 Occupational safety and health in a changing world of work, COM/2021/323 final.
Amendment 144 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8
Recital 8
Amendment 146 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8 a (new)
Recital 8 a (new)
(8a) (8 a) In their latest advice about the ECI “Save bees and farmers”, the EESC points out that many legislative acts are being prepared or have already been adopted by the Commission in favour of bees, pollinators, biodiversity, the sustainable use of pesticides, and support for farmers in the agro-ecological transition. It recognises, however, that these measures have not fully achieved their objectives. It therefore calls on the Commission to take additional measures to achieve its ambitious objectives more effectively in practice. For example, it recommends stronger support for precision agriculture, digital agriculture, biological control, and robotics, as well as agro-ecology. The EESC stresses the need to take into account all three pillars of sustainability (environmental, social and economic), without neglecting the economic situation, which is often overlooked, in an essential context of systemic sustainability and food sovereignty The EESC also calls on the Commission to carry out impact assessments before taking any decision, in order to assess, in particular, the costs of the initiative for agricultural production and the economy, compared to the financial cost of biodiversity loss for farmers.
Amendment 158 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 11
Recital 11
(11) Biological control agents are a sustainable control alternative to the use of chemical productsis one example of alternative to the use of synthetic, inorganic or industrial products, to combine with other solutions like regenerative agriculture practices, New Genomic Techniques, innovative agricultural equipment, etc. for the control of harmful organisms. As noted in Council Decision (EU) 2021/110257 , biological control agents have a growing importance in sustainable agriculture and forestry and have an instrumental role to play in the success of integrated pest management and both organic, high-technological and conventional farming. Access to biological controls would facilitates moving away from chemicalommonly-used plant protection products and apply them as a last resort following the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) principles, including reduced use through precision farming techniques. It is appropriate to encourage farmers to switch to low input agricultural methods including organic farming. It is therefore appropriate to define the concept of biological control as a basis for Member States to set indicative targets to increase the percentage of crops on which biological control agents are used. _________________ 57 Council Decision (EU) 2021/1102 of 28 June 2021 requesting the Commission to submit a study on the Union’s situation and options regarding the introduction, evaluation, production, marketing and use of invertebrate biological control agents within the territory of the Union and a proposal, if appropriate in view of the outcomes of the study (OJ L 238, 6.7.2021, p. 81)The Commission shall consider proposing an administratively slim, fast, efective and efficient framework to facilitate placing on the market of biological control products.
Amendment 169 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 12 a (new)
Recital 12 a (new)
(12a) Since the European Commission presented the Green Deal, including the Farm to Fork Strategy in May 2020, numerous impact assessments have been conducted in order to measure the impact of the Commission proposals on European agriculture and food security in the Union. One of these studies, conducted by Wageningen University and Research, found that the proposed targets could lead to an average production decline of up to 20%. Agricultural production standards and food production standards in the EU are higher than outside EU. Therefore food not produced in the EU will be produced elsewhere in a less ecofriendly way. Also decrease in the agricultural production in the EU will lead to higher imports from 3rd countries, lower export and therefore potential pressure on food shortages. Because of the strong regulation among others regarding the pesticides, only import from countries with same level of regulation shall be allowed, with exception of transit of commodities through the EU territory.
Amendment 171 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 12 b (new)
Recital 12 b (new)
(12b) The Parliament notes that although the Commission conducted and published an impact assessment alongside the Proposal for a Regulation on the Sustainable Use of Pesticides in June 2022, the Commission’s impact assessment only took into account the possible policy options considered by the Commission during the review phase, and therefore did not include any analysis of the impact of a complete ban of pesticides on sensitive areas. Furthermore, while the impact assessment acknowledges that pesticide reduction targets would lead to “an overall reduction in yield” and is expected to “induce production price increases,” it does not offer any quantifiable figures to how much yields are expected to decrease, for which crops, or in which regions of Europe.
Amendment 174 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 13
Recital 13
(13) (13) Given the different levels of historical progress and differences in intensity of pesticide use between Member States, it is necessary to allow Member States some flexibilityadaptation to farm realities in their National Strategic Plans when setting their own binguiding national targetreduction ambitions (“national 2030 reduction targets”). Intensity of use isand risk should best measured by dividing the total quantity of active substances placedthrough a scientifically justified formula, taking into account the particular conditions onf the mfarket, and therefore used, in the form of plant protems (e.g., technical and mechanical solutions to reduce risk should be taken into account; for closed farming systems, the impacti on products in a particular Member State by the surface area over which the active substances were appliedthe environment is much lower and not related to sales, etc) and the Member States (e.g., geography, climate, production methods, IPM measures applied jointly with the possible use of synthetic pesticides when needed) and developing comparable usage indicators that would not rely on adaptation of sales data but on usage per unit of harvested product. Intensity in the use of csynthemtical pesticides, and in particular of the more hazardous pesticides, correlates with greater dependency on chemical pesticides, greater risks to human health and the environment and less sustainable farming practices. It is therefore appropriate to allow Member States to take their lower intensity of use of chemical pesticides than the Union average into account in setting their national 2030 reduction targets. It is also appropriate to require them to take their higher intensity of use of chemical pesticides than the Union average into account in setting their national 2030 reduction targets. In addition, in order to give recognition to past efforts by Member States, they should also be allowed to take into account historical progress prior to the adoption of the Farm to Fork Strategy when setting national 2030 reduction targets. Conversely, where Member States have increased, or made only limited reductions in, their use and risk of chemical plant protection products, they should now make a greater contribution to the achievement of the Union 2030 reduction targets, while also taking account of their intensity of pesticide use. In order to ensure a fair and collective effort towards the achievement of Union-wide targets and an adequate level of ambition, minimum limits should be laid down for national 2030 reduction targets. The EU’s outermost regions, as listed in Article 349 of the Treaty, are located in the Atlantic, Caribbean and Indian Ocean. Due to permanent constraints such as their remoteness to the European continent, insularity and high exposure to climate change, it is appropriate to allow Member States to take into account the specific needs of these regions as regards the use of plant protection products and measures tailored to specific climatic conditions and crops. In order to ensure a fair and collective effort towards the achievement of Union-wide targets, where a Member State reaches the level of its 2030 national reduction target before 2030, it should not be required to undertake additional reduction efforts, but it should closely monitor annual fluctuations in the use and risk of chemical plant protection products and in the use of more hazardous plant protection products to ensure progress towards meeting the respective 2030 national reduction target. In the interests of transparency, Member State responses to any Commission recommendations in relation to the level of ambition of national targets and the annual and/or hazardous pesticides may depend on the availability of alternatives products, practices and tools that can be used instead. Availability of viable alternatives allows farmers to use synthetic pesticides as a last recourse following IPM principles. It is therefore appropriate to allow Member States to consider both the availability in the market of synthetic pesticides, biological controls and non-synthetic tools for plant protection, including regenerative agriculture practices and accessibility and uptake of digital and precision farming techniques, when designing their national 2030 reduction targets. In addition, in order to give recognition to past efforts by Member States, they should also be allowed to take into account historical progress prior to the adoption of the Farm to Fork Strategy when setting national 2030 reduction targets. Conversely, where Member States have increased, or made only limited reductions in, their use and risk of synthetic plant protection products, they should now make a greater contribution to the achievement of the Union 2030 reduction targets, while also taking account of their intensity and risk of pesticide use. In order to ensure a fair and collective effort towards the achievement of Union-wide targets and an adequate level of ambition, minimum limits should be laid down for national 2030 reduction targets. Member States territories, including the EU’s outermost regions, as listed in Article 349 of the Treaty, located in the Atlantic, Caribbean and Indian Ocean, should be allowed to take into account the specific needs of their different regions as regards the use of plant protection products and measures tailored to specific climatic conditions and crops. In some particular regions, tailored- measures should be further developed to cope with problems derived from remoteness, insularity and/or high exposure to climate change. This should allow a case-by-case decision-making process regarding the level of pesticide reduction targets in both EU continental and outermost regions. In order to ensure a fair and collective effort towards the achievement of Union-wide targets, where a Member State reaches the level of its 2030 national reduction target before 2030, it should not be required to undertake additional reduction efforts, but it should closely monitor annual fluctuations in the use and risk of synthetic plant protection products and in the use of more hazardous plant protection products to ensure progress towards meeting the respective 2030 national reduction target. In the interests of transparency, Member State responses to any Commission recommendations in relation to the level of ambition of national targets and the annual progress made towards them should be publicly accessible.
Amendment 223 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 20
Recital 20
(20) An approach to pest control that follows integrated pest management in ensuring careful consideration of all available means that discourage the development of populations of harmful organisms, while keeping the use of chemical plant protection products to levels that are economically and ecologically justified and minimising risks to human health and the environment is necessary for the protection of human health and the environment. ‘Integrated pest management’ emphasises the growth of a healthy crop with the least possible disruption to agro-ecosystems, encourages natural pest control mechanisms and uses chemical control only when there are no viable alternatives or all other control means are exhausted. To ensure that integrated pest management is implemented consistently on the ground, it is necessary to lay down clear rules in this Regulation. In order to comply with the obligation to follow integrated pest management, a professional user should consider and implement all methods and practices that avoid the use of plant protection products. Chemical pPlant protection products should only be used when all other control means have been exhausted or there is a risk of a significant loss of yield or quality. In order to ensure and monitor compliance with this requirement, it is important that professional users keep a record of the reasons why they apply plant protection products or the reasons for any other action taken in line with integrated pest management and of advice received in support of their implementation of integrated pest management from independent advisors. These records are also required for aerial applications.
Amendment 240 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 25
Recital 25
(25) UImproper use of plant protection products may have particularly negative impacts in certain areas that are frequently used by the general public or by vulnerable groups, communities in which people live and work and ecologically sensitive areas, such as Natura 2000 sites protected in accordance with Directive 2009/147/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council67and Council Directive 92/43/EEC68. How sensitive areas are to be defined remains the competence of Member States as this should be done at case by case basisconsidering the particular agronomic and climatic conditions of their territory. If plant protection products are used in areas used by the general public, the possibility of exposure of humans to such plant protection products is high. In order to protect human health and the environment, the use of plant protection products in sensitive areas and within 3 metres of such areas, should therefore be prohibited. Derogations from the prohibition should only be allowed under certain conditions and on a case-by-case basis. _________________ 67 Directive 2009/147/EC of the European Parliaor 1 meter when efficient drift control nozzles are used, should therefore be prohibited. If a physical buffer zone is already present, no addition buffer zones are needed. Exemptions and derogations from the prohibition should be foreseen for cases where the use of PPPs contributes to the achievement and of the Council of 30 November 2009 on the conservation of wild birds (OJ L 20, 26.1.2010, p. 7). 68 Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (OJ L 206, 22.7.1992, p. 7)overall objectives of this Regulation, e.g. the use of PPPs in plant breeding and seed production to assure the supply of healthy commercial seed for farmers and growers compliant with EU Regulation 2016/2031 and specific standards laid down in the EU seed marketing legislation.
Amendment 275 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 38
Recital 38
(38) Statistical data on plant protection products collected in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1185/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council74should be used in calculating these harmonised risk indicators based on real use of pesticidesand progress towards achieving binguidingUnion and national targets based on the Farm to Fork Strategy. Given that pesticide use fluctuates between years depending, in particular, on the weather, a three year baseline period is appropriate to take account of such fluctuationt least a ten year timespan should be considered to see the real usage trends in use of pesticides. The baseline period for the calculation of harmonised risk indicators 1 and 2 is 2011–2013, as this was the first three year period for which data was received by the Commission under Regulation (EC) No 1185/2009 and coincides with the entry into force of Directive 2009/128/EC. The baseline period for the calculation of progress towards the Union 2030 reduction targets is 2015–, therefore, 2011 – 20173, as this was the three most recent years for which data was available at the time of the announcement of the Farm to Fork Strategyin order to fully reflect and respect the achievements already made by European farmers. The baseline period for the calculation of a new harmonised risk indicator 2a is 2022–2024, as this will be the first three year period for which data on the areas treated under each authorisation for an emergency situation in plant protection will be available. _________________ 74 Regulation (EC) No 1185/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 November 2009 concerning statistics on pesticides (OJ L 324, 10.12.2009, p. 1).
Amendment 276 #
Proposal for a regulation
–
–
– The European Parliament rejects the Commission proposal (The proposal is inconsistent with the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality.)
Amendment 282 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 39
Recital 39
(39) For the moment, the only robust statistical data available at Union level relating to the marketing and use of plant protection products are the statistics on the quantities of active substances in plant protection products placed on the market, and the data on the number of authorisations for emergency situations in plantThe EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 recognises the need for urgent action to protect biodiversity. There is evidence of a widespread reduction of species, in particular insects and pollinators, in the Union. Biodiversity loss is, amongst other factors such as decrease in livestock proteduction granted under Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009. Those statistics are used inor a deviation from the principles of the calirculation of harmonised risk indicators 1 and 2 under Directive 2009/128/EC and in calculating progress towards the binding Union 2030 reduction targets and national 2030 reduction targets bar economy, driven by the incorrect or redundant use of plant protection products. It is therefore essential to ensure that plant protection products are used oin the Farm to Fork Strategy. The new harmonised risk indicator 2a will be calculated using statistics on the number of authorisations for emergency situations in plant protection, the properties of the active substances in plant protection products subject to these authorisations, and the areas treated under these authorisations to better such a way as to mitigate the risk of harmful effects of such products on wildlife, through a number of measures including training, inspection of application equipment in professional use and protection of the aquantify the risks arising from authorisations for emergency situations in plant protectionc environment and sensitive areas.
Amendment 284 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1
Recital 1
(1) The Treaty requires a high level of protection of human health and of the environment to be ensured in the definition and the implementation of all Union policies and activities and provides that Union policy on the environment is to aim at a high level of protection. The precautionary principle is set out in Article 191 of the Treaty, acknowledging that is already taken into account in of the authorisation procedure.
Amendment 319 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7
Recital 7
(7) The Commission Communication entitled ‘the European Green Deal’47 set out a roadmap of key measures, including legislative, to significantly reduce the use and risk of chemical pesticides. In the Farm to Fork Strategy48 , EU Biodiversity Strategy for 203049 and the Zero Pollution Action Plan50 , the Commission committed to take action to reduce by 50% the overall use and risk from chemical pesticides by 2030 and reduce by 50% the use of more hazardous pesticides (plant protection products containing one or more active substances approved as candidates for substitution in accordance with Article 24 of Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council51 and listed in Part E of the Annex to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 540/201152 , or containing one or more active substances listed in the Annex to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/40853 ) by 2030. The sustainable use of plant protection products is also complementary to the promotion of organic farming and achieving the Farm to Fork Strategy target of at least 25% of the Union’s agricultural land under organic farming by 2030. It supports the objectives of the EU strategic framework on health and safety at work54 and thereby contributes to the implementation of principle 10 of the European Pillar of Social Rights on a healthy, safe and well- adapted work environment. As plant breeding and seed production contribute to the overall reduction targets, through the marketing of resistant varieties and the supply of healthy seeds to the market, the above mentioned activities are exempt from the overall reduction targets. __________________ 47 Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the European Council, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions The European Green Deal COM/2019/640 final. 48 Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions A Farm to Fork Strategy for a fair, healthy and environmentally-friendly food system, COM/2020/381 final. 49 Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions, EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 Bringing nature back into our lives, COM/2020/380 final. 50 Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions, Pathway to a Healthy Planet for All EU Action Plan: 'Towards Zero Pollution for Air, Water and Soil', COM(2021) 400 final. 51 Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 October 2009 concerning the placing of plant protection products on the market and repealing Council Directives 79/117/EEC and 91/414/EEC (OJ L 309, 24.11.2009, p. 1). 52 Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 540/2011 of 25 May 2011 implementing Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the list of approved active substances (OJ L 153, 11.6.2011, p. 1). 53 Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/408 of 11 March 2015 on implementing Article 80(7) of Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning the placing of plant protection products on the market and establishing a list of candidates for substitution (OJ L 67, 12.3.2015, p. 18). 54 Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions, EU strategic framework on health and safety at work 2021-2027 Occupational safety and health in a changing world of work, COM/2021/323 final.
Amendment 320 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1
Article 1 – paragraph 1
This RegulationDirective lays down rules for the sustainable use of plant protection products by providing for the setting, and achievement by 2030, of reduction targets for the use and risk of chemical plant protection products, establishing requirements for use, storage, sale and disposal of plant protection products and for plant protection products application equipment, providing for training and awareness raising, and providing for implementation of integrated pest management, and providing for Member State contributions to the European Union reduction targets for the use and risk of plant protection products by 2035.
Amendment 326 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
This RegulationDirective shall apply to products, in the form in which they are supplied to the user, consisting of or containing active substances, safeners or synergists, and intended for one of the following uses:
Amendment 335 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point 1
(1) ‘chemical plant protection product’ means a plant protection product containing a chemical active substance excluding plant products using natural means of biological origin or substances identical to them, such as micro- organisms, semiochemicals, extracts from plant products as defined in Article 3(6) of Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009, or invertebrate macro-organisms;
Amendment 338 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8
Recital 8
Amendment 342 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8 a (new)
Recital 8 a (new)
(8a) In their latest advice about the ECI “Save bees and farmers”, the EESC points out that many legislative acts are being prepared or have already been adopted by the Commission in favour of bees, pollinators, biodiversity, the sustainable use of pesticides, and support for farmers in the agro-ecological transition. It recognises, however, that these measures have not fully achieved their objectives. It therefore calls on the Commission to take additional measures to achieve its ambitious objectives more effectively in practice. For example, it recommends stronger support for precision agriculture, digital agriculture, biological control, and robotics, as well as agro-ecology. The EESC stresses the need to take into account all three pillars of sustainability (environmental, social and economic), without neglecting the economic situation, which is often overlooked, in an essential context of systemic sustainability and food sovereignty The EESC also calls on the Commission to carry out impact assessments before taking any decision, in order to assess, in particular, the costs of the initiative for agricultural production and the economy, compared to the financial cost of biodiversity loss for farmers.
Amendment 349 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point 6 a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point 6 a (new)
(6a) 'organic farming' means farming practices in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 2018/848.
Amendment 356 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 11
Recital 11
(11) Biological control agents are a sustainable controlis one type of alternative to the use of chemical products, to combine with other solutions like agronomic practices, genetics, innovative agricultural equipment, etc. for the control of harmful organisms. As noted in Council Decision (EU) 2021/110257 , biological control agents have a growing importance in sustainable agriculture and forestry and have an instrumental role to play in the success of integrated pest management and both organic, high-technological and conventional farming. Access to biological controls would facilitates moving away from chemical plant protection products and apply them as a last resort following the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) principles, including reduced use through precision farming techniques. It is appropriate to encourage farmers to switch to low input agricultural methods including organic farming. It is therefore appropriate to define the concept of biological control as a basis for Member States to set indicative targets to increase the percentage of crops on which biological control agents are used. __________________ 57 Council Decision (EU) 2021/1102 of 28 June 2021 requesting the Commission to submit a study on the Union’s situation and options regarding the introduction, evaluation, production, marketing and use of invertebrate biological control agents within the territory of the Union and a proposal, if appropriate in view of the outcomes of the study (OJ L 238, 6.7.2021, p. 81).
Amendment 356 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point 10
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point 10
(10) ‘application equipment’ means any equipment the use of whichused for the application of a plant protection product is reasonably foreseeable at the time of manufacture andand the accessories that are essential for the effective operation of such equipment, with the exception of equipment designed for the sowing or planting of propagating material treated with plant protection products;
Amendment 360 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point 11 – point b
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point 11 – point b
(b) application equipment with horizontal or vertical booms or orchard blast sprayers, irrespective of whether it is being used for the application of plant protection products;
Amendment 378 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point 16 – point a
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point 16 – point a
(a) an area used by the general public, such as a public park or garden, recreation or sports grounds, or a public path. Sport grounds and railway networks shall not be considered to be sensitive areas for the purpose of this Regulation;
Amendment 379 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 12 a (new)
Recital 12 a (new)
(12a) Since the European Commission presented the Green Deal, including the Farm to Fork Strategy in May 2020, numerous impact assessments have been conducted in order to measure the impact of the Commission proposals on European agriculture and food security in the Union. One of these studies, conducted by Wageningen University and Research, found that the proposed targets could lead to an average production decline of up to 20%12a. __________________ 12a https://www.wur.nl/en/research- results/research-institutes/economic- research/show-wecr/green-deal-probably- leads-to-lower-agricultural-yields.htm
Amendment 380 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 12 b (new)
Recital 12 b (new)
Amendment 384 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 13
Recital 13
(13) Given the different levels of historical progress and differences in intensity of pesticide use between Member States, it is necessary to allow Member States some flexibility when setting their own binding national targets (“national 2030 reduction targets”). Intensity of use is best measured by dividing the total quantity of active substances placed on the market, and therefore used, in the form of plant protection products in a particular Member State by the surface area over which the active substances were applied. Intensity in the use of chemical pesticides, and in particular of the more hazardous pesticides, correlates with greater dependency on chemical pesticides, greater risks to human health and the environment and less sustainable farming practices. It is therefore appropriate to allow Member States to take their lower intensity of use of chemical pesticides than the Union average into account in setting their national 2030 reduction targets. It is also appropriate to require them to take their higher intensity of use of chemical pesticides than the Union average into account in setting their national 2030 reduction targets. In addition, in order to give recognition to past efforts by Member States, they should also be allowed to take into account historical progress prior to the adoption of the Farm to Fork Strategy when setting national 2030 reduction targets. Conversely, where Member States have increased, or made only limited reductions in, their use and risk of chemical plant protection products, they should now make a greater contribution to the achievement of the Union 2030 reduction targets, while also taking account of their intensity of pesticide use. In order to ensure a fair and collective effort towards the achievement of Union-wide targets and an adequate level of ambition, minimum limits should be laid down for national 2030 reduction targets. The EU’s outermost regions, as listed in Article 349 of the Treaty, are located in the Atlantic, Caribbean and Indian Ocean. Due to permanent constraints such as their remoteness to the European continent, insularity and high exposure to climate change, it is appropriate to allow Member States to take into account the specific needs of these regions as regards the use of plant protection products and measures tailored to specific climatic conditions and crops. In order to ensure a fair and collective effort towards the achievement of Union-wide targets, where a Member State reaches the level of its 2030 national reduction target before 2030, it should not be required to undertake additional reduction efforts, but it should closely monitor annual fluctuations in the use and risk of chemical plant protection products and in the use of more hazardous plant protection products to ensure progress towards meeting the respective 2030 national reduction target. In the interests of transparency, Member State responses to any Commission recommendations in relation to the level of ambition of national targets and the annual adaptation to farm realities in their National Strategic Plans when setting their own guiding national reduction ambitions (“national 2030 reduction targets”). Intensity of use and risk should be measured through a scientifically justified formula, taking into account the particular conditions of the farms (e.g., technical and mechanical solutions to reduce risk should be taken into account; for closed farming systems, the impact on the environment is much lower and not related to sales, etc.) and the Member States (e.g., geography, climate, production methods, IPM measures applied jointly with the possible use of synthetic pesticides when needed) and developing comparable usage indicators that would not rely on adaptation of sales data but on usage per unit of harvested product. Intensity in the use of synthetic and/or hazardous pesticides may depend on the availability of alternatives or low-risk products and tools to be used instead. Availability of suitable alternatives allows farmers to use synthetic pesticides as a last recourse following IPM principles. It is therefore appropriate to allow Member States to consider both the availability in the market of synthetic pesticides, low-risk and non-synthetic tools for plant protection when designing their national 2030 reduction targets. In addition, in order to give recognition to past efforts by Member States, they should also be allowed to take into account historical progress prior to the adoption of the Farm to Fork Strategy when setting national 2030 reduction targets. Conversely, where Member States have increased, or made only limited reductions in, their use and risk of synthetic plant protection products, they should now make a greater contribution to the achievement of the Union 2030 reduction targets, while also taking account of their intensity and risk of pesticide use. In order to ensure a fair and collective effort towards the achievement of Union-wide targets and an adequate level of ambition, minimum limits should be laid down for national 2030 reduction targets. Member States territories, including the EU’s outermost regions, as listed in Article 349 of the Treaty, located in the Atlantic, Caribbean and Indian Ocean, should be allowed to take into account the specific needs of their different regions as regards the use of plant protection products and measures tailored to specific climatic conditions and crops. In some particular regions, tailored- measures should be further developed to cope with problems derived from remoteness, insularity and/or high exposure to climate change. This should allow a case-by-case decision-making process regarding the level of pesticide reduction targets in both EU continental and outermost regions. In order to ensure a fair and collective effort towards the achievement of Union-wide targets, where a Member State reaches the level of its 2030 national reduction target before 2030, it should not be required to undertake additional reduction efforts, but it should closely monitor annual fluctuations in the use and risk of synthetic plant protection products and in the use of more hazardous plant protection products to ensure progress towards meeting the respective 2030 national reduction target. In the interests of transparency, Member State responses to any Commission recommendations in relation to the level of ambition of national targets and the annual progress made towards them should be publicly accessible.
Amendment 403 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 13 a (new)
Recital 13 a (new)
(13a) In its Staff Working Document on the Drivers of Food Security, the European Commission acknowledges that “Soil, water, biodiversity, and air are basic requirements for food production” and confirms how availability and access to food for consumers at reasonable prices are objectives that cannot be taken for granted.
Amendment 411 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point 16 – point f – point i
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point 16 – point f – point i
(i) any protected area under Annex IV of Directive 2000/60/EC, excluding those designated pursuant Annex IV 1 part (iv) and including possible safeguard zones as well as modifications of those areas following the risk assessment results for drinking water abstraction points under Directive (EU) 2020/2184 of the European Parliament and of the Council81; _________________ 81 Directive (EU) 2020/2184 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2020 on the quality of water intended for human consumption (OJ L 435, 23.12.2020, p. 1).
Amendment 418 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point 16 – point f – point ii
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point 16 – point f – point ii
(ii) sites of Community importance in the list referred to in Article 4(2) of Directive 92/43/EEC and the special areas of conservation designated in accordance with Article 4(4) of that Directive, and special protection areas classified pursuant to Article 4 of Directive 2009/147/EC, and any other national, regional, or local protected area reported by the Member States to the Nationally designated protected areas inventory (CDDA);, where the conservation objectives relate to nature, biodiversity, or habitat protection, with use of the less harmful pesticides.
Amendment 423 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point 16 – point f – point iii
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point 16 – point f – point iii
Amendment 429 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point 22
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point 22
Amendment 460 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1
Article 4 – paragraph 1
1. Each Member State shall contribute, through the adopction and achievement of national targetss set out in accordance with Article 5 to achievpproaching by 2030 a 50 % Union-wide reduction of both the use and risk of chemical plant protection products (‘Union 2030 reduction target 1’) and the use of more hazardous plant protection products (‘Union 2030 reduction target 2’), compared to the average of the years 20151, 20162 and 20173 (collectively referred to as ‘the Union 2030 reduction targets’). When new data on PPP use becomes available via the SAIO, two separate trends, one for conventional and one for organic agriculture shall be published at EU and MS levels. Plant breeding and seed production are exempt from the overall reduction targets, as they contribute to the overall objectives of the Regulation through the marketing of resistant varieties and to assure the supply of healthy commercial seed for farmers and growers compliant with EU Regulation 2016/2031 and specific standards laid down in the EU seed marketing legislation. To facilitate the sustainable use of pesticides in the long-term, the Commission will consider prposing an administratively slim, fast, efficient and effective frameworkfor the authorisation of biological control products to increase their availability and use in Europe.
Amendment 473 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 20
Recital 20
(20) An approach to pest control that follows integrated pest management in ensuring careful consideration of all available means that discourage the development of populations of harmful organisms, while keeping the use of chemical plant protection products to levels that are economically and ecologically justified and minimising risks to human health and the environment is necessary for the protection of human health and the environment. ‘Integrated pest management’ emphasises the growth of a healthy crop with the least possible disruption to agro-ecosystems, encourages natural pest control mechanisms and uses chemical control only when all other control means are exhausted. To ensure that integrated pest management is implemented consistently on the ground, it is necessary to lay down clear rules in this Regulation. In order to comply with the obligation to follow integrated pest management, a professional user should consider and implement all methods and practices that avoid the use of plant protection products. Chemical plant protection products should only be used when there are no viable alternatives or all other control means have been exhausted. In order to ensure and monitor compliance with this requirement, it is important that professional users keep a record of the reasons why they apply plant protection products or the reasons for any other action taken in line with integrated pest management and of advice received in support of their implementation of integrated pest management from independent advisors. These records are also required for aerial applications.
Amendment 502 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – introductory part
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – introductory part
By … [OP: please insert the date – 6 months after the date of application of this Regulation] each Member State shall adopt national targets in its national legislation to achieve by 2030 a reduction set in accordance with this Article, from the average of the years 20151, 20162 and 20173, of the following:
Amendment 505 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 25
Recital 25
(25) UImproper use of plant protection products may have particularly negative impacts in certain areas that are frequently used by the general public or by vulnerable groups, communities in which people live and work and ecologically sensitive areas, such as Natura 2000 sites protected in accordance with Directive 2009/147/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council67 and Council Directive 92/43/EEC68 , such as parks or urban areas and sports and leisure facilities, urban areas covered by a watercourse or water feature, to be defined at a case-by-case basis considering the particular conditions of each Member State. If plant protection products are used in areas used by the general public, the possibility of exposure of humans to such plant protection products is high. In order to protect human health and the environment, the use of plant protection products in sensitive areas and within 3 metres of such areas, should therefore be prohibited. Derogations from the prohibition should only be allowed under certain conditions and on a case-by-case basis. __________________ 67 Directive 2009/147/EC of the European Parliaor 1 meter when efficient drift control nozzles are used, should therefore be prohibited. If a physical buffer zone is already present, no addition buffer zones are needed. Exemptions and derogations from the prohibition should be foreseen for cases where the use of PPPs contributes to the achievement and of the Council of 30 November 2009overall objectives onf the conservation of wild birds (OJ L 20, 26.1.2010, p. 7). 68 Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (OJ L 206, 22.7.1992, p. 7)is Regulation, e.g. the use of PPPs in plant breeding and seed production to assure the supply of healthy commercial seed for farmers and growers compliant with EU Regulation 2016/2031 and specific standards laid down in the EU seed marketing legislation.
Amendment 540 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 3
Article 5 – paragraph 3
3. Each Member State shall aim and actively contribute towards reaching the targets referred to in paragraph 1 by 2030. A Member State that reaches the level of one of its 2030 national reduction targets before 2030 shall not be required to undertake additional reduction efforts. It shall monitor annual fluctuations in order to maintain the progress achieved in relation to that 2030 national reduction target.
Amendment 559 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 4
Article 5 – paragraph 4
4. Subject to paragraphs 5 to 8, the national 2030 reduction targets shall be set at such level so as to achieve a reduction between the average of the years 20151, 20162 and 20173 and the year 2030 in the relevant Member State that at least equals 50%.
Amendment 564 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 1
Article 5 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 1
A Member State may reduce its national targetcontribution for the use and risk of chemical plant protection products referred to in paragraph 4 to a percentage that is a mid- point between the figure related to intensity as laid down in the second subparagraph of this paragraph and the figure related to the use and risk as laid down in the third subparagraph of this paragraph. Where that percentage is higher than 50%, the Member State shall increase its national target to that percentage.
Amendment 575 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 2 – point a
Article 5 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 2 – point a
(a) 35at least 10% where a Member State’s weighted intensity of use and risk of chemical plant protection products during the average of the years 20151, 20162 and 20173 is less than 70% of the Union average;
Amendment 584 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 38
Recital 38
(38) Statistical data on plant protection products collected in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1185/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council74 should be used in calculating these harmonised risk indicators based on real use of pesticides and progress towards achieving binguiding Union and national targets based on the Farm to Fork Strategy. Given that pesticide use fluctuates between years depending, in particular, on the weather, a three year baseline period is appropriate to take account of such fluctuationt least a ten year timespan should be considered to see the real usage trends in use of pesticides. The baseline period for the calculation of harmonised risk indicators 1 and 2 is 2011–2013, as this was the first three year period for which data was received by the Commission under Regulation (EC) No 1185/2009 and coincides with the entry into force of Directive 2009/128/EC. The baseline period for the calculation of progress towards the Union 2030 reduction targets is 2015–, therefore, 2011 – 20173, as this was the three most recent years for which data was available at the time of the announcement of the Farm to Fork Strategyin order to fully reflect and respect the achievements already made by European farmers. The baseline period for the calculation of a new harmonised risk indicator 2a is 2022–2024, as this will be the first three year period for which data on the areas treated under each authorisation for an emergency situation in plant protection will be available. __________________ 74 Regulation (EC) No 1185/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 November 2009 concerning statistics on pesticides (OJ L 324, 10.12.2009, p. 1).
Amendment 587 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 2 – point b
Article 5 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 2 – point b
(b) at least 350% where a Member State’s weighted intensity of use and risk of chemical plant protection products during the average of the years 20151, 20162 and 20173 is between 70% and 140% ofmore than the Union average;
Amendment 592 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 2 – point c
Article 5 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 2 – point c
(c) 650% where a Member State’s weighted intensity of use and risk of chemical plant protection products during the average of the years 20151, 20162 and 20173 is more than 140% of the Union average.
Amendment 598 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 39
Recital 39
(39) For the moment, the only robust statistical data available at Union level relating to the marketing and use of plant protection products are the statistics on the quantities of active substances in plant protection products placed on the market, and the data on the number of authorisations for emergency situations in plantThe EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 recognises the need for urgent action to protect biodiversity. There is evidence of a widespread reduction of species, in particular insects and pollinators, in the Union. Biodiversity loss is, amongst other factors such as decrease in livestock proteduction granted under Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009. Those statistics are used inor a deviation from the principles of the calirculation of harmonised risk indicators 1 and 2 under Directive 2009/128/EC and in calculating progress towards the binding Union 2030 reduction targets and national 2030 reduction targets bar economy, driven by the incorrect or redundant use of plant protection products. It is therefore essential to ensure that plant protection products are used oin the Farm to Fork Strategy. The new harmonised risk indicator 2a will be calculated using statistics on the number of authorisations for emergency situations in plant protection, the properties of the active substances in plant protection products subject to these authorisations, and the areas treated under these authorisations to better such a way as to mitigate the risk of harmful effects of such products on wildlife, through a number of measures including training, inspection of application equipment in professional use and protection of the aquantify the risks arising from authorisations for emergency situations in plant protectionc environment and sensitive areas.
Amendment 609 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 3 – point b
Article 5 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 3 – point b
(b) where a Member State has increased the use and risk of chemical plant protection products, or has made a smaller reduction than the Union average between the average of the years 2011, 2012 and 2013 and the average of the years 20158, 20169 and 201720, a figure that is established by adding to 50% the difference between the reduction or, as applicable, increase achieved and the Union average reduction, but without surpassing 70%.
Amendment 623 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 6 – subparagraph 2 – point a
Article 5 – paragraph 6 – subparagraph 2 – point a
(a) 35at least 10% where a Member State’s intensity of use of the more hazardous plant protection products during the average of the years 20151, 20162 and 20173 is less than 70% of the Union average;
Amendment 636 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 6 – subparagraph 2 – point b
Article 5 – paragraph 6 – subparagraph 2 – point b
(b) at least 350% where a Member State’s intensity of use of the more hazardous plant protection products during the average of the years 20151, 20162 and 20173 is between 70% and 140% ofmore than the Union average;
Amendment 639 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 6 – subparagraph 2 – point c
Article 5 – paragraph 6 – subparagraph 2 – point c
Amendment 650 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 6 – subparagraph 3 – point a
Article 5 – paragraph 6 – subparagraph 3 – point a
(a) where a Member State has achieved a greater reduction in the use of the more hazardous plant protection products than the Union average between the average of the years 2011, 2012 and 2013 and the average of the years 20158, 20169 and 201720, a figure that is established by subtracting from 50% the difference between the reduction achieved and the Union average reduction;
Amendment 654 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 49
Recital 49
(49) The implementation of this Regulation by Member States will result in new and enhanced obligations for farmers and other pesticides users. Some of them constitute statutory management requirements and standards of good agricultural and environmental conditions of land as listed in Annex III to Regulation (EU) 2021/2115 of the European Parliament and of the Council78 , which, in accordance with that Regulation, farmers must comply with to receive CAP payments, whereas other requirements, which go beyond the baseline of mandatory requirements, may be rewarded with additional payments under voluntary regimes like eco-schemes pursuant to Article 31 of Regulation (EU) 2021/2115. Article 31(5), points (a) and (b), and Article 70(3), points (a) and (b), of Regulation (EU) 2021/2115 provide that the CAP funding is only available for practices implemented under an eco- scheme or agri-environmental-climate commitment which go beyond the relevant statutory management requirements and the standards of good agricultural and environmental conditions of land established under that Regulation and the relevant minimum requirements for the use of fertiliser and plant protection products, animal welfare, as well as other relevant mandatory requirements established by national and Union law. Since farmers and other users need to be financially supported in theirThe transition towards a more sustainable use of pesticides, Regulation (EU) 2021/2115 needs to be amended to allow the financing of requirements imposed in accordance with this Regulation during a transitional period. This exceptionallant protection products, at EU and Member State level must be financed through the Just Transition Fund. This will guarantee an adequate transition in an appropriate time span, allowing for medium- and long-term alternatives to be developed and deployed. No CAP funding should be used in this context. The option for Member States to provide additional funding for measures taken in implementing this Regulation should apply to any obligation for farmers and other users resulting from the application of this Regulation, including compulsory farming practices imposed by the crop-specific rules for integrated pest management. Further, pursuant to Article 73(5) of Regulation (EU) 2021/2115, investments by farmers to comply with new requirements imposed by Union law may be supported for a maximum of 24 months from the date on which they become mandatory for the holding. Similarly, aA longer transition period should be set out for investments complying with requirements imposed on farmers in accordance with this Regugoing beyond the provisions set in the current legislation. and Regulation (EU) 2021/2115 should therefore be amended accordingly. __________________ 78 Regulation (EU) 2021/2115 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 2 December 2021 establishing rules on support for strategic plans to be drawn up by Member States under the common agricultural policy (CAP Strategic Plans) and financed by the European Agricultural Guarantee Fund (EAGF) and by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and repealing Regulations (EU) No 1305/2013 and (EU) No 1307/2013, OJ L 435, 6.12.2021, p. 1.
Amendment 674 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 8
Article 5 – paragraph 8
8. In no case may the application of paragraph 5, paragraph 6 and paragraph 7 result in either of the 2030 national reduction targets being lower than 3510%.
Amendment 726 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 6
Article 6 – paragraph 6
6. Having assessed the level of national 2030 reduction targets of all Member States set in accordance with Article 5, the Commission shall verify whether their average at least equals 50% so as to achieve the corresponding Union 2030 reduction targetmeeting these objectives will not jeopardise overall food security in the European Union, food sovereignty, the competitiveness and viability of European farmers, biodiversity and the environment and climate. .
Amendment 736 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 7
Article 6 – paragraph 7
Amendment 773 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 3
Article 7 – paragraph 3
3. By 31 August of each calendar year, the Commission shall publish information for each Member State on trends in progress towards achieving the national 2030 reduction targets. These trends shall be calculated as the difference between the average of the years 20151- 20173 and the year ending 20 months prior to the publication. The trends shall be calculated in accordance with the methodology set out in Annex I, on the website referred to in paragraph 1.
Amendment 812 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point d
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point d
(d) a link to the relevant parts of CAP strategic plans, drawn-up in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2021/2115, which set out plans for an increase in the utilised agricultural area engaged in organic farming and how the plans will contribute to achieving the target set out in the Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions A Farm to Fork Strategy for a fair, healthy and environmentally-friendly food system84of having 25% of the utilised agricultural area devoted to organic farming by 2030, without compromising the viability of the rest of sustainable productive methods existing and applied in the EU territories; _________________ 84 Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions A Farm to Fork Strategy for a fair, healthy and environmentally-friendly food system (COM/2020/381 final).
Amendment 872 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 4
Article 8 – paragraph 4
4. National action plans shall be consistent with the plans of Member States drawn-up in accordance with Directives 91/676/EEC, 92/43/EEC, 2000/60/EC, 2008/50/EC, 2009/147/EC and (EU) 2016/2284 and Regulation xxx/xxx on nature restoration [reference to adopted act to be inserted], be consistent with the CAP Strategic Plans drawn-up in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2021/2115 and shall contain explanations how the national action plan is consistent with those plans.
Amendment 948 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 2 – point a
Article 10 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) all trends in progress towards achieving the national 2030 reduction targets as set out in Part 1 of Annex II, calculated in accordance with the methodology set out in Annex I as the difference between the average of the years 20151-20173 and the year ending 20 months prior to the publication;
Amendment 970 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1
Article 10 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1
Amendment 973 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 2
Article 10 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 2
Amendment 1004 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 4
Article 11 – paragraph 4
Amendment 1060 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 1
Article 13 – paragraph 1
1. Professional users shall first applyconsider measures that do not require the use of chemical plant protection products for the prevention or suppression of harmful organisms before resorting to application of chemical plant protection products.
Amendment 1064 #
A A professional user’s records referred to in Article 14(1) shall demonstrais expected that he or she has considered all of the following optionapplicable options from the list below, before resorting to plant protection products:
Amendment 1072 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – indent 1 a (new)
Article 13 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – indent 1 a (new)
Amendment 1106 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 4 – introductory part
Article 13 – paragraph 4 – introductory part
4. Professional users shall use biological controls, physical and other non-chemicalalternative methods. Professional users may only use chemical methodplant protection products if they are necessary to achieve acceptable levels of harmful organism control after all other non-chemicalalternative methods as set out in paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 have been exhausted and where any of the following conditions has been satisfied:
Amendment 1112 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 4 – point a
Article 13 – paragraph 4 – point a
(a) the results of monitoring of harmful organisms show, based on recorded observation, that chemicalor scientifically documented agronomic local situations show that plant protection measures need to be applied in a timely manner because of the presence of a sufficiently high number of harmful organismharmful organisms which surpasses economic thresholds.
Amendment 1128 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 6 – introductory part
Article 13 – paragraph 6 – introductory part
6. Professional users shall keep the use of chemical plant protection products and other forms of intervention to levels that do not exceed the levels that are absolutely necessary to control the harmful organisms and that do not increase the risk for development of resistance in populations of harmful organisms. Where possible, professional users shall use the following measures, if allowed and by national legislations on the registration and placing on the market of plant protection products:
Amendment 1131 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 6 – point a a (new)
Article 13 – paragraph 6 – point a a (new)
(aa) Optimal timing of application.
Amendment 1143 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 9
Article 13 – paragraph 9
Amendment 1242 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 6 – point b
Article 15 – paragraph 6 – point b
(b) the non-chemicalalternative interventions involving cultural, physical and biological control which are effective against the harmful organisms referred to in point (a) and qualitative criteria or conditions under which these interventions are to be made;
Amendment 1248 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 6 – point c
Article 15 – paragraph 6 – point c
(c) the low-risk plant protection products or alternatives to chemical plant protection products which are effective against the harmful organisms referred to in point (a) and qualitative criteria or conditions under which these interventions are to be made;
Amendment 1254 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 6 – point d
Article 15 – paragraph 6 – point d
(d) chemical plant protection products that are not low-risk plant protection products and that are effective against the harmful organisms referred to in point (a) and qualitative criteria or conditions under which these interventions are to be made;
Amendment 1261 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 6 – point e
Article 15 – paragraph 6 – point e
(e) the quantitative criteria or conditions under which chemical plant protection products may be used after all other means of control that do not require the use of chemical plant protection products have been exhaustedin accordance with the product label;
Amendment 1273 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 6 – point f
Article 15 – paragraph 6 – point f
(f) the measurable criteria or conditions under which more hazardous plant protection products may be used after all other means of control that do not require the use of chemical plant protection products have been exhausted.
Amendment 1282 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 6 – point g
Article 15 – paragraph 6 – point g
(g) the obligation to record observations demonstrating that the relevant pest infestation threshold value has been reached.
Amendment 1290 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 8
Article 15 – paragraph 8
Amendment 1304 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 9
Article 15 – paragraph 9
Amendment 1356 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 5
Article 16 – paragraph 5
5. Competent authorities referred to in paragraph 1 shall share the data gathered under paragraph 1, points (a) and (c), of this Article with the national competent authorities in charge of the implementation of Directives 2000/60/EC and (EU) 2020/2184 for cross-linking that data, in anonymised form, with environmental, groundwater and water quality monitoring data, to enhance the identification, measuring and reduction of risks from the use of plant protection products. Strict protection of the data and its anonymisation shall be ensured.
Amendment 1385 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 1
Article 18 – paragraph 1
Amendment 1400 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 2
Article 18 – paragraph 2
Amendment 1407 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 3
Article 18 – paragraph 3
Amendment 1412 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 3 – point b
Article 18 – paragraph 3 – point b
Amendment 1420 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 4
Article 18 – paragraph 4
Amendment 1423 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 5
Article 18 – paragraph 5
Amendment 1433 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 6
Article 18 – paragraph 6
Amendment 1449 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 7
Article 18 – paragraph 7
Amendment 1455 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 8
Article 18 – paragraph 8
Amendment 1556 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 21 – paragraph 3
Article 21 – paragraph 3
Amendment 1683 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 26 – paragraph 3
Article 26 – paragraph 3
Amendment 1701 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 26 – paragraph 4 – point c
Article 26 – paragraph 4 – point c
(c) precision farming techniques, including use of seed treatments, space data and services;
Amendment 1777 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 30 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point b
Article 30 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point b
(b) use the central electronic register to receive and process third party entries regarding ownership, transfer of ownership, sale, withdrawal from use and return to use of application equipment in professional use, for recording and tracking purposes;
Amendment 1781 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 30 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
Article 30 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
Where the designated competent authority does not carry out the inspection of application equipment in professional use, it shall designate one or more bodies to carry out such inspections, or develop a certification system with which inspection services must comply.
Amendment 1791 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 31 – paragraph 1
Article 31 – paragraph 1
1. The competent authority referred to in Article 30 or a body designated by it shall inspect application equipment in professional use every three years, starting from the date of first purchase. The competent authority shall ensure that there is sufficient staff, equipment and other resources necessary for the inspection of all application equipment due for inspection, within the three year cycle. The competent authority may develop a certification system enabling a fast implementation of inspections by service organisations compliant with the certification.
Amendment 1815 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 31 – paragraph 11
Article 31 – paragraph 11
Amendment 1831 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 33 – paragraph 2 – point h
Article 33 – paragraph 2 – point h
(h) the nozzle type(s) present on the application equipment at the time of inspection, as well as the type of drift reduction equipment;
Amendment 1840 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 34 – paragraph 1
Article 34 – paragraph 1
1. The methodology for calculating progress towards achieving the two Union 2030 reduction targets and the two national 2030 reduction targetcontributions until and including 2030 is laid down in Annex I. This methodology shall be based on statistical data collected in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1185/2009.
Amendment 1847 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 34 – paragraph 2
Article 34 – paragraph 2
2. Using the methodology set out in Annex I, the Commission shall calculate the results of progress towards achieving the two Union and two national 2030 reduction targetcontributions annually until and including 2030 and publish those results on the website referred to in Article 7.
Amendment 1853 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 35 – paragraph 4
Article 35 – paragraph 4
Amendment 1866 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 39 – paragraph 1
Article 39 – paragraph 1
Member States may recover the costs related to carrying out their obligations under this Regulation by means of fees or charges. No additional levy or tax shall be imposed on plant protection products.
Amendment 2142 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 3
Article 18 – paragraph 3
Amendment 2150 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 3 – point a
Article 18 – paragraph 3 – point a
Amendment 2153 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 3 – point b
Article 18 – paragraph 3 – point b
Amendment 2162 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 4
Article 18 – paragraph 4
Amendment 2164 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 5
Article 18 – paragraph 5
Amendment 2175 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 6
Article 18 – paragraph 6
Amendment 2183 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 7
Article 18 – paragraph 7
Amendment 2190 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 8
Article 18 – paragraph 8
Amendment 2288 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 21 – paragraph 3
Article 21 – paragraph 3
Amendment 2432 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 26 – paragraph 3
Article 26 – paragraph 3
Amendment 2446 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 26 – paragraph 4 – point c
Article 26 – paragraph 4 – point c
(c) precision farming techniques, including use of seed treatments, space data and services;
Amendment 2548 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 30 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point b
Article 30 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point b
(b) use the central electronic register to receive and process third party entries regarding ownership, transfer of ownership, sale, withdrawal from use and return to use of application equipment in professional use, for recording and tracking purposes;
Amendment 2558 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 30 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
Article 30 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
Where the designated competent authority does not carry out the inspection of application equipment in professional use, it shall designate one or more bodies to carry out such inspections, or develop a certification system to which inspection services must comply.
Amendment 2575 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 31 – paragraph 1
Article 31 – paragraph 1
1. The competent authority referred to in Article 30 or a body designated by it shall inspect application equipment in professional use every three years, starting from the date of first purchase. The competent authority shall ensure that there is sufficient staff, equipment and other resources necessary for the inspection of all application equipment due for inspection, within the three year cycle. The competent authority may develop a certification system enabling a fast implementation of inspections by service organisations compliant with the certification.
Amendment 2594 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 31 – paragraph 10
Article 31 – paragraph 10
Amendment 2628 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 33 – paragraph 2 – point h
Article 33 – paragraph 2 – point h
(h) the nozzle type(s) present on the application equipment at the time of inspection, as well as any type of drift reduction equipment;
Amendment 2646 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 34 – paragraph 1
Article 34 – paragraph 1
1. The methodology for calculating progress towards achieving the two Union 2030 reduction targetcontributions and the two national 2030 reduction targets until and including 2030 is laid down in Annex I. This methodology shall be based on statistical data collected in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1185/2009.
Amendment 2652 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 34 – paragraph 2
Article 34 – paragraph 2
2. Using the methodology set out in Annex I, the Commission shall calculate the results of progress towards achieving the two Union and two national 2030 reduction targetcontributions annually until and including 2030 and publish those results on the website referred to in Article 7.
Amendment 2661 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 35 – paragraph 4
Article 35 – paragraph 4
Amendment 2700 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 39 – paragraph 1
Article 39 – paragraph 1
Member States may recover the costs related to carrying out their obligations under this Regulation by means of fees or charges. No additional levy or tax on plant protection products shall be imposed.
Amendment 2756 #
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Annex I – paragraph 1 – introductory part
This Regulation is the instrument used to achieve the pesticide reduction targets contained in the Farm to Fork Strategy by requiring each Member State to contribute to achieving by 2030 a 50 % Union-wide reduction of both the use and risk of chemical plant protection products (‘Union 2030 reduction target 1’) and the use of more hazardous plant protection products (‘Union 2030 reduction target 2’). This Regulation also regulates the contribution of each Member State to these Union targets. Each Member State contribution, set in the form of a national target, to Union 2030 reduction target 1 is referred to as a ‘national 2030 reduction target 1’, while a Member State contribution to Union 2030 reduction target 2 is referred to as a ‘national 2030 reduction target 2’. The methodology for calculating progress towards achieving these targets is set out below: