Saving the Yorkshire Pea industry - Euro MP says battle goes on

11.49.24am GMT Wed 5th Nov 2008

After visiting an East Riding farm in October to hear concerns from local farmers and producers about the EU's proposed Regulation of plant protection products, local Liberal Democrat Euro MP Diana Wallis is battling to save the region's threatened pea industry.

The EU's proposed Regulation, which is being voted in the European Parliament's Environment Committee today, aims to reduce the number of pesticides in use, by moving from a risk based assessment to a so-called 'hazard based approach'. If adopted it will mean that some substances will be banned if they have certain properties, whatever the low nature of the risk associated with them. For example, the withdrawal of pendimethalin, used to ensure the clearance of previous crops like potatoes before a pea crop can be established, is particularly opposed by farmers.

Diana Wallis, MEP for Yorkshire & the Humber, proposed an amendment which would essentially allow the continued use of current pesticides until an economically viable alternative becomes available. However, the amendment fell on the adoption of a compromise package of amendments

Ms. Wallis said of the vote:

"When I met them last month farmers and producers were very clear in their strength of feeling about this Regulation. The withdrawal of pendimethalin could be devastating to the local pea growing industry. There is a real fear, in a worst case scenario, of pea growing in this region moving to New Zealand!

Ms. Wallis, a Vice President of the European Parliament, continued:

"It is important that that the European Parliament understands the effects of these proposals on a region such as ours. My amendment has highlighted the difficult position of our local farmers and I am disappointed that it was not put to the vote.

"The battle is not lost as this has yet to be voted on by the full Parliament and also negotiated with the European Commission."