The European Parliament has backed new legislation on biocides (which includes rat poisons) at a second reading. The purpose of this regulation is to harmonise the legislation on biocidal products and hence improve the functioning of the internal market, while ensuring a high level of protection for both human and animal health and the environment . Overall we welcome this new regulation which sets clear rules on the placing on the market and sustainable use of safer biocides. Of particular importance is the agreement between the Council and European Parliament on the exclusion criteria for the authorisation of biocidal products. This ensures that under clear evidences some essential active substances may be still authorised to prevent or to control a serious danger to public or animal health or to the environment.
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On sustainable Use of biocides: We can expect a report on the sustainable use of biocides by the European Commission to be published within the next three years. It will be important that the findings of this report are fully explored before any development of new legislative framework on the sustainable use of biocides begins. We will be monitoring this closely to ensure that any new administrative burden at farm level regarding the monitoring of biocides use and the application of integrated pest management principles is avoided. As part of this, we will want to see that the existing professional experience of farmers in using such products is properly recognized.
• Timescale: European Parliament adopted its position on second reading on 19th January 2012. The regulation will be officially adopted by the Council in the first half of 2012 under the Danish Presidency and shall apply from 1 September 2013 with a transitional period for certain provisions. The recognition of approvals among Member States will be improved and the possibility to apply for authorisation at EU level will be phased in from 2013, becoming possible for most biocidal products by 2020.
No comments have been made.