This conference has serious concerns regarding European Union legislation on the use of key current plant protection products. This conference also regrets that the UK Government's call to ensure that a thorough scientific EU-wide assessment of the impact on food production was not carried out before the regulation was passed by the MEP's on the European Parliament's Environment Committee. This conference now calls for the implementation of the new legislation to be undertaken as sensibly as possible to ensure it does not lead to the loss of production of crucial arable and horticultural products.

Proposed: Robert Borrill

Seconded: Doug Balderson

Policy Respondee: Linda Walton

Region: Lincolnshire

The motion was carried

Personal votes for:         193       

Personal votes against:  12

Branch votes for:           118088

Branch votes against:    9294

The debate around the conference motion highlighted the following key issues:-

Robert Borrill of the Lincolnshire Region introduced the motion. A farmer, he pointed out that the legislation related to the reduction of pesticides available on the grounds that such substances could potentially be harmful to human health.

The legislation he believed to be "over the top"and will have a significant impact on the production of key agricultural products including peas, carrots and some fruits. In particular the pea production in this country could become completely unavailable.

Imagine no peas with your Sunday Dinner - "gave peas a chance" he said.

The legislation will currently be introduced without the the necessary impact assessment as proposed by ourselves, DEFRA, NFU and UK farming representatives alike.
 
Doug Balderson, seconding the motion, spoke from his "heart and his tummy", expressing concern for the future of food self sufficiency in this country.

Linda Walton responding for Policy said they were suporting the motion and have already made representation to DEFRA. She raised the issue of geting the incorrect balance between food production and protecting the environment.

Points for the motion were:
 
Farming had had a lean time in recent years and this type of legislation would have an impact on future viability.

Chemicals currently used are safe and are helping farmers produce good quality food.

This legislation is unnessary and should not be implemented without the required impact risk assessment.

The reduction of viable farms will necessitate in the increase of fruit and vegetable imports - when we should be "buying British".

There were no points against the motion.

Conclucing remarks:-
Robert Borrill asked the delgates to take a common sence approach and support this motion. There was also a plea for no "gold plating" of EU Directives.