Prague/Brussels – Farmers are struggling to safeguard their crops from pests, fungi, and weeds due to European restrictions on plant protection products, leading to a decline in crop health. This deterioration could result in reduced yields and harvest quantities for the year. The Czech Agricultural Chamber highlighted this concern in a recent press release. Minister of Agriculture Marek Výborný (KDU-ČSL) has urged the European Commission to provide alternative options if an active substance is banned, and to prolong the transitional period for the use of existing, safe substances if alternatives are unavailable. This appeal was made following a meeting at the EU Agriculture Ministers Council (AGRIFISH) in Brussels.
“The number of bans is increasing, and frequently, there is no alternative available at the time of the ban that would allow farmers to stay competitive,” Výborný noted. His request aims to prevent Czech farmers from discontinuing the cultivation of certain crops, a trend that is already occurring.
“There is a decrease in the cultivation of more challenging crops like fruits and vegetables, with a shift towards easier crops such as wheat,” stated the chamber’s president Jan Doležal. Výborný also mentioned that the ban impacts the production of hops, sugar beets, and forestry. “It’s not about halting the transition to more ecological products, but ensuring that alternatives are available, which is currently lacking,” he emphasized.
The minister proposed that if an active substance or plant protection product is banned, a suitable alternative should be accessible. “If that’s not possible, I seek an extension of the transitional period, allowing the continued use of existing, safe substances until the European Commission approves an alternative,” he explained. According to him, the Czech proposal gained support from 21 countries.
The Agricultural Chamber reported that, according to the European database, out of 1,465 original products, 974 are now banned. This increase in bans has led to pests, weeds, and fungi developing resistance to the remaining permitted substances, necessitating more frequent applications of sprays. Whereas farmers previously needed to spray two to three times per season, this number has surged to as many as eight times today. The increased frequency of applications raises production costs for farmers due to higher fuel, labor, and wage expenses, along with increased wear and tear on machinery, the chamber noted. (July 14)
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