After farmer protests

Von der Leyen wants to withdraw pesticide regulation

The protests by farmers in many European countries are also occupying the EU Parliament in Strasbourg this week. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced to MEPs on Tuesday that she intends to withdraw the controversial SUR regulation on the use of pesticides.

MEPs had rejected the planned 50 percent reduction in plant protection products in the EU by 2030 in November. The Commission had proposed the SUR Regulation with the aim of reducing the risks of using chemical plant protection products. "But the proposal has polarized", said von der Leyen.

However, the issue is not yet off the table
After the European Parliament, no progress had been made in the Council either: "I will therefore propose to my colleagues in the Commission that the proposal be withdrawn." However, the issue is not off the table: the Commission will present a more mature proposal together with other stakeholders, said von der Leyen.

Like EU Council President Charles Michel, the Commission President called for a joint dialog with agricultural stakeholders. "It's about overcoming the polarization of the debate," said von der Leyen. Farmers need attractive economic incentives for nature conservation measures.

"Only if we achieve our climate and environmental protection goals together will farmers be able to maintain their livelihoods." The agricultural and food sector needs sustainable prospects, said von der Leyen.

SUR vote fails in November
The controversial Plant Protection Products Regulation SUR (the abbreviation stands for Sustainable Use Regulation) surprisingly failed in the vote in the EU Parliament on November 22. The regulation would have included far-reaching reductions and bans on plant protection products in the EU by 2030.