Producers of plant protection products and biopesticides have made clear commitments in support of the Green Deal for the EU
The European Crop Protection Industry (ECPA) has made a set of ambitious commitments in support of the new Green Deal for Europe, including investment of over €14 billion in new technologies and more sustainable products by 2030.
In addition to these investments, the ECPA also plans to increase the take-back of empty packaging and the level of farmer training in Europe as part of its response to the EU’s Farm to Fork and Biodiversity Strategy 2030.
Géraldine Kutas, Director General of the European Plant Protection Association, said: „With its ambitious Green Deal for Europe, the European Commission has fired the starting gun and kick-started the EU’s run towards a more sustainable, climate-neutral future. We take our support for the Green Deal seriously, which is why our companies have come together to set their own voluntary, sector-specific and measurable targets.“
The six commitments made by the ECPA in the key areas of agricultural innovative technologies, circular economy and better protection of people and the environment will drive the industry over the next decade:
– Innovation and investment:By supporting innovation and deployment of digital and precision tools, as well as biopesticides, we support the European Commission’s ambition for a digital and green recovery. By 2030, we will invest €10 billion in innovation in precision and digital technologies and €4 billion in innovation in biopesticides. The investment that the sector has committed to will only be worthwhile if there is an appropriate regulatory framework to enable European farmers to benefit from these innovations.
– Circular Economy: By increasing the take-back rate of empty plastic pesticide packaging to 75% and introducing a collection system in EU Member States where it is not yet in place, we will contribute to the EU’s goal of a circular economy, which aims to minimise waste and resources used and reduce the environmental impact of plastic packaging.
– Protecting people and the environment:By educating farmers on integrated pest management, water conservation and the importance of using personal protective equipment (PPE), our industry hopes to further minimize exposure and reduce the risks associated with pesticide use, all while contributing to the overall goals of the Sustainable Use of Pesticides Directive and the EU’s Farm to Fork strategies aimed at sustainable food production.
Géraldine Kutas added: “We all agree on the direction of travel, but now it is important to take these concrete steps to reach the final goal. Meeting our commitments will be challenging for our companies. However, we are determined to deliver what we have set out to do and we call on the European Commission to support sustainable agriculture with an appropriate regulatory framework that allows innovation to reach farmers.”
„This is just the beginning, over the course of the decade we will track the progress of our industry and transparently share how far we have come,“ concluded Géraldine Kutas.
Source:TZ