NFU horticulture board vice chairman makes rallying call to growers

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Tuesday, 07, Oct 2008 12:00

The vice chairman of the NFU board for horticulture will be urging growers to write to their MEPs following this week’s joint NFU/HDC pesticide conference in North Yorkshire.

Sarah Pettitt will be speaking on the second day of the conference on the proposals to revise the EU pesticides regulation 91/414. The proposals, if agreed, would have a damaging impact on horticulture, as they would reduce growers’ ability to control some weeds, pests and diseases, in most cases without alternatives. They would also reduce yields and ultimately lead to further increases in the price of food in shops, particularly fruit and vegetables, the widely recognised vital components of a healthy diet.

Miss Pettitt said: “Our preference is for these proposals to be thrown out and we continue to fight for that, but at the very least, it is important that they are not made even worse by new amendments being put in by the European Parliament. That’s why we are urging MEPs to adopt the EU Council’s position.

“But make no mistake, this will still mean that some actives will be lost in the horticulture crop protection armoury leading to more disease and lower yields.”

The NFU has published detailed information on the impact of the proposals and who growers should write to.

Notes to editors:

1. The NFU/HDC conference is being held on October 7-8 2008 at Stockbridge Technology Centre (STC), Cawood, North Yorkshire, YO8 3TZ

2. Information on the proposals can be found at www.nfuonline.com

-ends-

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Press Officer: Mike Thomas

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The NFU champions British farming and provides professional representation and services to its farmer and grower members.