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cogeca
european
farmefs european
agri-cooperarves
Dear Ms Bucher,
Copa and Cogeca would like to draw your attention to the importa nce of chlorpyrifos active
substance s at Europe an level (chlorpyrifos, CHP, and chlorpyrifos -m ethyl, CHP-
methyl) . Withdrawing these substances without an appropriate transit ional period , could
significantly compromise European fruit and vegetable production.
Chlorpyrifos plant protection products are used in agriculture in the chemical defence of crops
(fruit and vegetables in the field, grain storage) because of their effective insecticida l properties.
They adequately and reliably repe l a wide range of insect s that are seriously harmful to various
crops (e.g. Halyomorpha halys, the brown marmorated stink bug from Asia that has been
presen t in Switzerland and Liechtenstein since 2007 and t hat is gradually spreading to many
other regions in the EU).
Unfortunately , to date , t here are no equally efficient alternatives (be they chemical or not) to
ensure safe crop protection . At the same time, non -chemical alternatives (e.g. Trissolcus
japonicu s, a natural predator of H. halys) are still being tested for effectiveness . On the other
hand, the variations in climatic conditions, which have been recorded in many European
countries and marked by an increase in average winter and summer tempe ratures in 2018 and
in 2019, resulted in serious damage to fruit due to attacks by pests such as the brown
marmorated stink bug. The damage has affected large volumes of fruit, between 40% and 100%
of the harvest , leaving them no longer marketable, neither for fresh consumption nor for the
processing industry .
As you may also know, both technical dossiers for these substances will be examined in the
appropriate fora of the European Commission in the coming months . The approval period for
both CHP and CHP-methyl will expire on 31stJanuary 2020 and, as far as we know, the
Commission is planning to go for a non-renewal of both of these substances .
Copa and Cogeca would like to stress that until an adequate alternative is found, EU producer s
must therefore continue to have access to chlorpyrifos -based plant protection products . This is
essentia l in order for them to effectively defend their plants and crops which represent a
fundamental source of income and livelihood. In the event of non- renewal, EU producers must
at least have a sufficient grace period to ensure the protection of their crops and to be able to
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