Soil quality legislation 'could harm food production'

Environmental legislation aimed at boosting soil quality across the EU could have a detrimental impact on food production, it has been claimed.

Leaders of the Crop Protection Agency (CPA) have warned that further restrictions to the use of pesticides could have an adverse effect on agriculture.

CPA chief executive Dominic Dyer has called for scientific evidence to be provided if certain substances are to be banned.

This plea comes as EU policymakers put the finishing touches to the latest pesticide approval rulings.

Mr Dyer also stated that the government's recent Foresight report demonstrated the urgent need for more food to be produced and claimed new laws surrounding the use of pest repellents might not be in the best interests of the general public.

"Faced with mounting concern over population growth, rising food prices and the impact of climate change, effective crop protection is needed to maintain yields and prevent harvest losses," he remarked.

The CPA recently backed a government White Paper, which highlighted the requirement for agriculture and environment interests to work in tandem in order to boost crop production.

Posted by Joseph Hutton