Industry lobbying has led to a compromise a European level which should safeguard a significant number of rodenticides.
Proposed changes to the Biocides Directive could have resulted in the loss of up to 95% of vermin control products from the market.
But following sustained efforts by Copa-Cogeca, the NFU and the wider industry, a compromise was accepted last night at a meeting of the Environment Committee in Brussels. This will allow key rodenticides to stay on the market where there are no alternative methods of control and public health is at risk.
The NFU urged UK MEPs to support the deal.
Plant health adviser Paul Chambers said: “We believe that the need for a reform of the existing Biocides Directive is clear, with very few active ingredients having reached the central European list under the current legislation and even fewer products obtaining registration.
“However, the original proposals put forward would have left few realistic rodent control alternatives available.
“This compromise is the best possible outcome that could have been achieved in the circumstances.”
The next step in the process is a vote in the full parliament which is expected in September when the Environment Committee position is expected to be accepted.
Read an NFU briefing here.
Get more pesticides news from the NFU here.