Pesticides: EU rules could endanger our food? 03.09.2008 Fruit and vegetables at a price. And not only at the box office, but also for our health. Because in order to minimize the infestation by pests and thus improve the look, many pesticides are used, which contain harmful pesticides. So far, the EU states have regulated the majority of the authorization of these funds themselves. But since 1 September is for 1,100 single pesticide limits in the Union. As there have such uniformity in Austria for 200 substances higher limits than before, now a dispute has broken out, which extends to the government.
Cause of the conflict, a study of the environmental organization Global 2000, which concludes that too many of the acute now permitted limits and can result in chronic health hazards is. According to the authors, numerous limits have been established "so generously" that already threatened once to use a hazard. At 570 limits for fruit and vegetables, the so-called acute reference dose for children will be exceeded. Leaders in the pesticide exposure were grapes, pears and apples.
SPÖ environment spokeswoman Petra Bayr holds the EU's new rules for "unacceptable". Criticism also comes from the Greens, the BZÖ and the citizens' initiative "Save Austria". The Austrian People's Party led by Minister Andrea Kdolsky Health Department and the EU Commission, however try to reassure consumers.
"600 forbidden substances"
The EU Commission also accepted the new limits, but is also true that there were some increases in addition to lowering of limit values. After all, we have by Regulation Countries also get into the boat, which had previously been provided for individual products, any pesticide-limits, it was called at the request of "press". give
"security is not threatened"
The conflict over the limits it "not only a production, but also a consumer item, said a spokeswoman for EU Health Commissioner Vassiliou. The charge would include Global 2000, for children threaten some massive damage to health, one can not understand in Vassiliou office: After all, are the limits have been "tested and tested scientifically," said the spokeswoman for the Commissioner. "The safety of citizens is not threatened, it will be to facilitate trade." Overall, the EU Commission was an "enormous effort in a very complicated matter" succeeded. Environmental organizations would have in essence only "cherry picking parts" to argue against the regulation. overview of the limits:
http:// ec.europa.eu / sanco
pesticides / public / index.cfm
www. global2000.at / To the original article
