The reason for this is that the proposal for a new EU pesticide regulation has met with fierce criticism from the agricultural industry and farmers' associations. In mid-December, the EU member states called on the EU Commission to first submit further studies on the planned regulation, which is delaying the process.

 

I take the concerns of farmers and winegrowers about the new law very seriously. That is why I met with the Saar Farmers' Association and LSV Saarland. I also spoke with representatives of the "IPM Works" initiative, which maintains a network of farms that already use the integrative plant protection method.

 

Shortly beforehand, I had also discussed the regulation with Saarland Environment Minister Petra Berg (SPD). It is important to find a compromise at state and EU level that supports our farmers and is good for biodiversity in our fields.

Only hand in hand can we succeed in reducing the use of toxic pesticides in order to make our agriculture more crisis-proof and halt the massive extinction of species.

 

Because one thing is clear: the protection of biodiversity cannot be delayed any longer!