EU pesticides ban 'a threat to Scottish whisky', claims ME
14 Jan 2009, 1630 Hrs

Add comment          Mail          Print          Write to Editor

London, Jan. 14 Scottish whisky may have to be distilled from French barley in the future as a result of EU laws banning at least 22 pesticides from fields across Europe, it has been claimed.

According to the Scotsman, controversial legislation passed in Brussels yesterday aims to reduce the amount of products deemed harmful to human health or the environment used on crops.

Supporters argue that the measures, which have been watered down in the past few months to allow the continued use of pesticides for which there is no alternative for up to ten years, do not go far enough.

Critics, however, warn that they could cause crop yields to plummet and food prices to rocket.

Some say yields of potatoes, wheat and carrots, which rely on pesticides to ward off diseases associated with the UK's damp conditions, will suffer.

Struan Stevenson, a Tory MEP for Scotland, said he was "appalled by the decision" and claimed Scotland would have to import products from warmer countries that had less of a problem with disease.

Hilary Benn, the Environment Secretary, demanded a full impact assessment of the proposed changes.

The proposed changes, which would ban most crop-spraying and bring in strict conditions on pesticides used near water supplies, were overwhelmingly backed by 577 MEPs, easily exceeding the 393 threshold required to approve the measures.

However, ministers from the 27 member states must vote on whether to approve the draft laws, opposed by the UK government. (ANI)

Related Latest

FIFA may impose World Cup ban on French 'Hand Ball' striker Henry US 'to ban drinks containing combination of alcohol, caffeine' Ex-parliament barmaid claims steamy sex sessions with South Australian Premier in office Sarkozy, Ban Ki-moon to attend Commonwealth meet Apex court rejects plea to ban idol immersion in water bodies Older addicts prone to suicidal thoughts: Scottish study Photos were stolen, claims surrogate mom of Parker's twins Large gold, silver mine inaugurated in Mexico Belgian PM Herman Van Rompuy appointed first EU President Herman Van Rompuy chosen as EU president

Related Latest

Warnie says 'Pup' Clarke is his new bunny in 20-20 match Assam bomb blast death toll rises to seven (Update Assam blast) Windies won't wilt against Aussies, says coach Williams Central Excise, Customs official protest in Delhi for better pay Teenager charged for mutilation murder of Brit Indian Orissa Govt orders heavy security deployment in Korapat District Ferguson's overhaul plan puts greats under scrutiny Arrest warrant issued against two ministers in Karzai's cabinet Former Australian cricket stars question Clarke's capacity to captain Headley always felt pulled between East and West: Investigators

• Windies won't wilt against Aussies, says coach Williams
• Assam bomb blast death toll rises to seven (Update Assam blast)
• Orissa Govt orders heavy security deployment in Korapat District
• Ferguson's overhaul plan puts greats under scrutiny
• Former Australian cricket stars question Clarke's capacity to captain

• भारतीय क्रिकेट की मजबूत दीवार
• कंगारूओं के आगे ढेर, चीतों से कैसे मुकाबला करेंगें शेर
• Reducing greenhouse gases may not be enough to slow global warming
• बीकानेर महापौर चुनावः एक विश्लेषण
• Deepawali: The Festival Of Lights