State Secretary Martijn van Dam recently informed the House of Representatives that it would agree to a proposal from the European Commission to further restrict the use of neonicotinoids. However, Nefyto believes that Van Dam's decision is moving away from the scientific framework for the authorization of plant protection products.
As the Dutch competent authority, the Board for the Authorization of Plant Protection Products and Biocides (Ctgb) has assessed the proposal and the underlying scientific considerations. One of the findings is that EFSA, the European Food Safety Authority, has conducted an assessment with an unapproved EU assessment framework and that the alternative substances to these neonicotinoids do not necessarily have a lower risk profile.
Nefyto now believes that the outgoing State Secretary disregards the findings of the Ctgb without substantiation and thus moves away from the scientific framework for the authorization of plant protection products.
Assessment framework not approved
The Ctgb is highly critical of both the Commission proposal and the used assessment framework for bees (Bee Guidance). The Bee Guidance is scientifically controversial, is strongly criticized by most member states (including because of its unworkability and unrealistic study proposals) and has therefore (still) not been approved.
EFSA has used the Bee Guidance, on the basis of a political assignment. And because EFSA was only able to reach its assessment by using the Bee Guidance, it is not correct for the Secretary of State to use the EFSA assessment as an argument.
The companies involved are also simply unable to answer various questions from the Guidance (yet). It feels for the companies as if the rules of the game are being changed during the game.
Assessment is not a political task
Nefyto believes that, given the technical and scientific complexity, the assessment of individual plant protection products has no place in politics. Political interference in the authorization of plant protection products undermines confidence in the approval procedure and makes manufacturers wary of investing in new, innovative (including green) products. Investments can only be made responsibly if there is a predictable decision-making process about admission. The exclusive use of approved assessment methods is a basic requirement for this.
Brake on sustainability
New innovations are no longer the first to be launched in Europe. The available package of resources for conventional and organic growers will come under further pressure and the sustainability of agriculture and horticulture will be inhibited.
In recent years, the political influence on the authorization of plant protection products has increased considerably. Debates in the House of Representatives regularly concern specific resources, with MPs regularly taking the seat of the Ctgb.
Respect for Ctgb must return
It has become apparent that responsible government officials are sensitive to this. Where ministers in the past respected the advice of the Ctgb, they now increasingly give more weight to political considerations. Nefyto finds this a worrying development. In front of Nephyto scientific knowledge and facts are the starting point. At the same time, we realize that crop protection products evoke emotions and that there is an order for further sustainability (see Nefyto Vision and Ambition). The next cabinet will determine its own course and hopefully reverse the political influence on the authorization of plant protection products.
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