July 2, 2008

proposed new pesticide laws: impact on food and farming

Speakers:
Dr Ian Denholm, Head of Plant and Invertebrate Ecology, Rothamsted Research Institute
Jim Orson, Research & Technical Director, The Arable Group
Dr Ian Dewhurst, Principal Toxicologist, Pesticides Safety Directorate
Dr Bill Parker, Horticulture Research & Consultancy Manager, ADAS

New legislation proposed by the European Commission, if enacted in September, could drastically cut the number of compounds permitted for use in agriculture across the EU. Agricultural scientists have expressed concern over the scientific rationale behind the legislation, and the impacts that it could have on food production if compounds that were previously considered safe are banned. In this background briefing, several leading experts discussed the latest science on pesticides and the potential effects of the legislation on food production and pesticide safety.