NFU Scotland is calling on its members to campaign against the imposition of European Union rules that would ban a huge number of key plant protection products used on Scottish farms.

The Union is calling on members to write to their Member of the European Parliament (MEP), to highlight the impact that removing a number of products – some of which have been used safely on Scottish farms for years – could have on our ability to grow our crops.

The draft EU Regulation dealing with the market authorisation of active substances will return to the European Parliament’s Environment Committee in October this year.  The union hopes that by then all of its affected members by this will have taken the time to raise their concerns.

NFUS said it has been involved in lobbing MEPs, the European Commission and the European Council hard to make sure that farmers do not lose the array of plant protection products they are currently allowed to use.

NFU Scotland’s Cereals Committee Chairman, John Picken said: “Whether you grow cereals, oilseeds, vegetables, fruit or grass you need to be aware of the dangers in these proposals and act now.

“Through the lobbying efforts of the UK unions and the trade, we have gained some concessions so far.   However, there remain fundamental concerns about a great number of elements within the proposals, which could ban a large proportion of products currently used by Scottish farmers with no ready replacements available.

“The consequences of this proposal going through unchallenged are numerous. Fewer products could lead to increased chemical resistance to those left on the shelf, there is a cost of replacing banned products, and the length of time approved products can be used could be limited to 10 years before the approval must be renewed. On top of that, there may be an obligation upon farmers to notify, in writing, any neighbours before spraying plant protection products.

“In the last few months, NFU Scotland has met and continues to meet with Scottish MEPs to impress upon them just how damaging these proposals could be. We now need the support of our members to highlight the ways in which they could be affected if our crucial armoury of plant protection products is drastically reduced.”

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