EU Delays Directive on Sustainable Use of Pesticides

Recently, due to the influence of the geopolitical situation in Europe, the European Commission decided to postpone the Sustainable Use of Pesticide Directive and the goal of natural restoration of agriculture. It is reported that the sustainable use of pesticides directive and agricultural natural recovery targets were originally scheduled to be released in early April, but have been postponed until closer to summer, and the official date will be confirmed at a later date.

The European Commission said the decision was one of a series of actions the European Commission has taken to address food security concerns after the geopolitical situation escalated. The European Commission will also allow EU member states to temporarily lift certain obligations under the Common Agricultural Policy green measures. Member countries can produce any crop in 2022 on fallow lands that are ecologically important areas, while maintaining full green subsidy levels. In addition to this, the European Commission will propose a support package of 500 million euros, including the activation of a crisis reserve, to support producers with the greatest increase in conflict-affected input costs.

The European Commission also adopted a new interim crisis framework this month to provide liquidity support to agri-chain companies and subsidies for increased gas and electricity costs.