Due to the complexity, State Secretary for Economic Affairs Martijn van Dam is unable to answer parliamentary questions from CDA member Jaco Geurts about the authorization of maleic hydrazide (MH) within the usual term.
Written questions must be answered within three weeks. This period can be extended to six weeks if the reason is given. Van Dam sent Geurts a postponement message within three weeks. 'Due to the necessary interdepartmental coordination, the involvement of the Board for the Authorization of Plant Protection Products and Biocides and the ongoing European procedures regarding the active ingredient maleic hydrazide, these questions cannot be answered within the usual three-week period. I aim to answer the questions as soon as possible.'
Geurts pulled end of November at the bell. 'Not being able to use the drug MH would be a disaster with major economic consequences for the Dutch onion and potato sector. I hope that the VVD/PvdA cabinet will understand this in the meantime.'
A European reassessment is currently taking place. The subject and the vote are on the agenda of the technical working group in Brussels in March. Member States and industry can submit comments until January 13. To this end, GroentenFruit Huis has sent additional letters to State Secretary Van Dam and the European Commission.
The purpose of the letters is to request that a postponement be granted until all relevant investigations have been completed in order to be able to supply the missing information for the reassessment. It cannot be the case that MH will lose its admission for procedural reasons. 'I support this request', the Member of Parliament adds.
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