Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-000203/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Anna Maria Cisint (PfE), Sergio Berlato (ECR), Aldo Patriciello (PfE), Silvia Sardone (PfE), Roberto Vannacci (PfE), Pietro Fiocchi (ECR), Carlo Fidanza (ECR), Alessandro Ciriani (ECR), Stefano Cavedagna (ECR), Raffaele Stancanelli (PfE), Susanna Ceccardi (PfE)
European fruit and wine production is suffering from the decisions to reduce or ban a number of active substances that are needed to combat the most harmful plant diseases. These include the ban on outdoor use of thiamethoxam (Regulation (EU) 2023/334), which is used to target the American grapevine leafhopper (Scafoideus titanus), a vector of flavescence dorée disease, or the current proposals to ban the use of active substances that help to control the brown marmorated stink bug (Halymorpha halys), which would further damage Italian fruit growing. Over the last 15 years, Italy’s fruit and vegetable sector has lost 300 000 ha of farmland. Farmers are facing resistance in many fungal diseases, attacks by new alien pests and often extreme climate changes, severely affecting yields and harvesting options. These problems are compounded by incomprehensible import policies that benefit third countries and products grown with substances that are not authorised in the EU.
In view of the above:
- 1.When putting forward proposals to reduce or ban an active substance used in pest control, will the Commission assess in advance the existence and effectiveness of alternative tools, as well as the economic and social impact of the proposals?
- 2.What initiatives will it put in place to provide tangible support for EU fruit growing?
Submitted: 17.1.2025