In recent years, the European Union has had only limited success in limiting the risks associated with the use of plant protection products. This is according to a report by the European Court of Auditors.
In order to limit the risks of plant protection products for humans and the environment, the EU introduced the 'Integrated Pest Management' (IPM) directive in 2009. This directive states that farmers are in principle obliged to only use plant protection products if no efficient alternative is possible that gives the desired effect.
The IPM guideline has not yet had the desired effect, according to the report the report of the European Court of Auditors. The Directive has not been transposed into national law by many Member States. The Court carried out, inter alia, fact-finding visits to 3 Member States (France, Lithuania and the Netherlands). Of these Member States, only the Netherlands had introduced a penalty system for compliance with the IPM Directive.
No clear goals and enforcement
The report also shows that there are no clear objectives at European level and that enforcement is inadequate. According to auditors, there is also too little incentive to reduce dependence on plant protection products. They mainly refer to the CAP subsidies. It does not make compliance with the guidelines a condition. As a result, the European Commission is unable to significantly limit the risks associated with the use of resources.
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