CropLife Latin America has analyzed the consequences that the European Union’s policy to achieve a healthier and more sustainable food system and to conserve and recover biodiversity, specified in the strategies “From Farm to Fork” and “Bringing nature back into our lives” within the framework of the European Green Pact, could entail.
“At first glance, the European Green Deal policy and its strategies seek to show us how to transform industries to face the planet’s climate and biodiversity challenges. As part of these strategies, the EC proposes to reduce pesticide use by 50% by 2030 and use its diplomatic and economic capacity to get its trading partners to do the same. This means there will be a loss of import tolerances, as hundreds of crop protection products that are currently used by farmers and agro-exporters will no longer be authorized in Europe.”
According to an analysis by the Economic Research Service of the United States Department of Agriculture, the consequences of adopting these policies in regions outside the European Union would be dramatic in terms of increased food prices (up to 89%) and could cost up to trillion dollars globally in loss of social welfare.
“CropLife Latin America, a regional trade association that represents the leading companies in science and technology, is working with its network of national associations to inform and alert governments, farmers, universities, and the general public about the negative impact of the Green Pact on the region. It is essential that America participate in the debate on this proposal in the European Parliament and that we show the negative consequences that the Green Pact may have for agro-exports, as well as the achievements that the region has made on the road to have more sustainable agriculture,” the association stated.
They also stated that they would continue promoting Good Agricultural Practices, which include the responsible use of technologies, and supporting the construction of institutional capacities to consolidate registration and control systems for agrochemicals according to the arrival and adoption of new technologies.
Source: agraria.pe