The coalition of conservatives, right-wingers and liberals is defeating urgently needed pesticide reductions – harming the environment and health
Vienna (OTS/SK) – The majority of EU MEPs today voted against the regulation on the sustainable use of plant protection products (SUR). A coalition of conservatives, rightists and liberals had previously undermined the actually viable compromise and, ultimately, prevented it from even being referred to the committee. This means that the EU Parliament cannot continue working on a text that has a majority. SPÖ EU MEP Günther Sidl, member of the Environment Committee, says: “Today, with the support of the right-wing and liberal sides, the European People’s Party defeated a pragmatic compromise on the urgently needed limitation of environmental toxins. This is a submission to the interests of large agricultural and chemical companies and gives a deep insight into who the PPE actually makes policy for. The fact that new referral to the committee and therefore the continuation of work on a compromise text was prevented is particularly serious. This is basically a refusal to work and simply irresponsible. It’s appalling why some members of parliament allow themselves to be exploited here.” ****
Sidl continued: “The uninhibited use of pesticides in agriculture is one of the main reasons for species extinction and threatens human health; But thanks to the conservatives’ increasingly radicalized populism, things can now continue unchecked. In many boardrooms these days, some will be rubbing their hands. Today is a dark day for the environment, agriculture and people in the EU. Profits currently count for more than protecting our health and livelihoods.” (Conclusion) kisses
Questions and contact:
Jacob Flossman
Spokesperson for the SPÖ delegation in the European Parliament
+43 660 562 11 99
[email protected]