On Wednesday, June 22, the European Commission (EC) proposed to halve the use of chemical pesticides in EU agriculture by 2030.
This is part of Brussels' plan for sustainable economic development and biodiversity. He was introduced by EC Vice President for Combating Climate Change Frans Timmermans, reports euronews .
According to the European Commission, the use of pesticides should be reduced to protect soil, air and food, as well as the health of citizens. It will also help prevent the extinction of millions of native species of animals, plants and insects.
"By 2030, half of chemical pesticides must be replaced by alternative methods, such as crop rotation, and technologies such as precision farming," Timmermans said.
The EC representatives also proposed to ban any use of these substances in areas where it should be especially clean - near schools, hospitals, parks and playgrounds.
There are regular reports from EU member states on changes in agriculture, indicating the gradual abandonment of pesticides.
In addition, in the next five years from the general European funds plan to allocate subsidies to cover additional costs.
However, the EU also disagrees with such changes. MEP Herberg Dorfmann believes that in the current economic situation, when Europe is in dire need of food, it is impossible to abandon pesticides.
The proposals of the European Commission will be able to enter into force only after approval by the European Parliament and the Council of the EU.
Before EcoPolitics reported that the EU has made public the plan for the largest ban on hazardous chemicals in the "road map of restrictions", which may include 12,000 substances.
