European parliament ditches new law to curb pesticides use

In a surprise vote, the European parliament decided this week to ditch legislation aimed at reducing the use of chemical pesticides in the EU by at least 50% and to completely ban them in ‘sensitive areas’ such as public parks and playgrounds. The proposal was a key component of the ‘farm to fork strategy’, a plank of the European Green Deal spearheaded by former EU commissioner Frans Timmermans, and seeking to reduce the environmental impact of the EU’s food system....