The Environment Committee in the European Parliament had important topics on the agenda this week: pesticides and glyphosate.

A report on the sustainable use and restriction of particularly hazardous plant protection products has been adopted. MEP Manuela Ripa (ÖDP) commented on this:

"This is good news for our environment, for nature and species conservation and ultimately for our health. We are still spraying far too many pesticides. It is now clear that hazardous substances must be reduced by 65% by 2030!"

In ecologically sensitive areas, no conventional plant protection products may be used, only pesticides from organic farming. However, the countries' own pesticide reduction plans are taken into account, which benefits local winegrowers, for example.

In contrast, Ripa finds the result of the vote on glyphosate shocking: the Environment Committee was unable to agree on a resolution calling for a complete ban on the environmental toxin. The use of glyphosate is highly controversial. Five years ago, a European citizens' initiative with over one million votes had already called for a

Ban demanded. Nevertheless, the EU Commission wants to extend the approval by ten years - despite data gaps in the scientific studies. The member states will hold a final vote on this proposal in November, and Manuela Ripa is calling for Germany to take a clear stance, i.e. to vote in favor of nature and species conservation and against glyphosate.

Genetic engineering not a panacea in agriculture

In addition to the issues of pesticides and glyphosate, the use of genetic engineering is still under discussion. For example, an own-initiative report on the European protein strategy was recently put to the vote in the plenary session of the European Parliament, which does not clearly distance itself from the use of genetically modified plants. Manuela Ripa comments:

"If we want to farm and consume sustainably, we must not rely on new genetic engineering as a panacea. This is definitely the wrong way to go, because the consequences for biodiversity are unforeseeable! The focus on animal proteins in the report on the protein strategy is also a hindrance if we want to comprehensively tackle the necessary change in diet."

Delaying the green turnaround

Compared to animal proteins, plant proteins are considered a more sustainable and efficient source of energy. In this respect, they play a major role in the ecological conversion of the food system. However, the paradigm shift in food production and consumption announced by the European Commission is likely to be further delayed, as it will not present the planned proposal for a law on sustainable food systems for the time being. In addition to this core element of the European farm-to-fork strategy, the legislative proposal on food labeling is also missing.

Both legislative texts, which have not yet been presented, are considered key points in the EU Green Deal. With regard to the green turnaround, however, this deal has fallen through for the time being, says MEP Manuela Ripa. The European Commission is missing an opportunity to initiate the much-needed turnaround for us consumers and for agriculture.