Criticism of the admission of pesticides

a list of individual cases is no longer for a long time. Again and again the Federal authorities for pesticides have to take out of the market, because it turns out that the substances are more dangerous than originally classified. Since 2005, they have done this for 148 substances.

Against this Background, a report, yesterday became public, considerable explosive power. Conclusion: The authorisation procedure for pesticides has significant deficits. This knowledge is not; environmental organizations have for a long time. But now – and this makes the report a politically spicy, it is confirmed independently. Author of the auditing and consulting firm KPMG, which carried out the Evaluation on behalf of various Federal agencies, including the Federal office for the agriculture (foag) and the Federal office for the environment (FOEN).

The report identifies a number of weak. The focus is particularly on the BLW, the environmental organizations for years, to accuse, to put the interests of the agrochemical industry and farmers about everything – a critique, which rejects the office within the Department of Guy Parmelin (SVP) categorically. Fact is that The BLW has in the approval of a controversial roll process. It is on the one hand, the point of contact for the applicant, on the other hand, it decides on the admission. The appropriate place in the office, so it is now in the KPMG report, it was devoid of it due to their affiliation with the BLW in the form of institutional independence, "this has a negative effect on your credibility". Also, the "claims with respect to transparency within the authorities and to the Public would in the procedures have not been met".

Ten recommendations

potential for improvement the report identifies also the role of the FOEN, which is part of the Department of Simonetta Sommaruga (SP). The office was involved in "strong enough" to the approval process, it had "no active role" in the assessment of pesticides. In Germany, for example, is different. There, the counterpart of the FOEN, the Federal environment Agency has wide-ranging powers: Without his consent for a plant protection product must not get in the sale.

The report contains ten recommendations. This includes the FOEN in the assessment of the pesticides involved, and to strengthen the independence of the licensing body. In addition, the Federal government should adjust the legislation so that it is easier to take on new risk insights, pesticides in the short term from the market.

A working group of the Federal government will consider the report and by the spring of 2020, a concept for implementation. In addition to representatives of the foag and the FOEN of their exponents by the Federal office for health, as well as the state Secretariat for economic Affairs (Seco) and the Federal office for food safety and veterinary office (fsvo). The extent to which the Federal government shares the analysis of KPMG, is unclear.

foag and FOEN whitewash report

The Causa delicate seems. The FOEN, for example, does not want to comment on the request, the extent to which it will seek to strengthen its own role in the approval process. The different interests of the Federal agencies are likely to at least bounce off each other directly. One indication of this is the media of communication, which have sent to the Offices yesterday. Unlike the KPMG investigation, she identifies the problems, but remarkably reluctant, or, as it is a representative of an Environmental organisation says, "euphemistically".

calls for Reform: GLP-politician Tiana Moser. Photo: Keystone

In the Parliament of the KPMG report has reignited the call for a comprehensive Reform. "The protection of the population and environmental procedures in the authorisation, in the future, the Central role to play," says GLP group boss Tiana Moser. It refers to the recent investigation of the Federal government, showing that pesticides groundwater and drinking water strain, sometimes more than allowed by law. Was also required by the Federal Council. He also had to tackle the problem seriously. The KPMG report will give him a basis to do so.

expectations are also formulated Markus Ritter, CVP national councillor and President of the farmers Association. Admission decisions should be based on scientific principles and procedures be transparent. "We expect the working group that the arrangements for the admission in this direction will be further developed."

Created: 22.11.2019, 06:28 PM