Over the last seven years, 93 active substances have become unavailable to European farmers, while only one new active substance has been approved. This widening gap leaves farmers with fewer options to protect their crops, manage resistance and respond to emerging agricultural challenges.
In this context, Copa-Cogeca and CropLife Europe brought together policymakers, farmers and representatives of the agrifood chain to discuss the importance of an effective and comprehensive crop protection toolbox.
Examining the practical consequences of the shrinking toolbox for selected crops, participants stressed that controlling pests, diseases and weeds is becoming increasingly difficult. They also underlined the risks this poses to agricultural productivity, resilience and the long-term sustainability of farms across Europe.
The discussion showed that Europe has reached a point where the loss of existing solutions is no longer matched by access to new innovations. Pests and diseases do not disappear when a solution is withdrawn, and farmers need access to a sufficiently broad range of tools to overcome the different challenges they face across crops, regions and seasons. While maintaining high standards of protection, Europe also enables the timely, predictable and science-based assessment of new solutions. This should include biological and conventional plant protection products, as well as other innovative technologies that can support Integrated Pest Management.
Ensuring that regulation keeps pace with scientific progress will be vital for protecting harvests, strengthening food security and safeguarding the competitiveness, resilience and sustainability of European agriculture.
