![]() This was clearly stressed by the January 2023 ruling of the EU Court of Justice about pesticide derogations. Health and environment must be protected, above profit and in case of doubt, the precautionary principle needs to be applied. In this court case, the judge had a clear understanding of the EU pesticide regulation. Whether this will stand on appeal remains to be seen, though the judgement is well founded as you can read above.Ĭlear understanding of EU pesticide regulations Mind you, this was a summary judgement, in an urgent legal procedure. Moreover, lilies are not a food crop, for which the trade-off between different interests might have turned out differently. The grower can also choose other crops that require less pesticides. Growing lilies is a choice, argues the court. Local residents and groups like Meten=Weten and PAN Netherlands have long been deeply concerned about the intensive use of pesticides in the Netherlands, especially in the cultivation of flower bulbs and particularly lilies. The Health Council recommends using as few pesticides as possible that could potentially cause neurological disorders. Dutch National Health Service GGD advises to close windows and doors in the neighbourhood during the weekly spraying, stay indoors for several hours and do not hang laundry or let kids play outside. It is the relatively most sprayed crop in the Netherlands, the court noted. Lily farming stands out when it comes to pesticide use. The quantities are high, compared to other countries. For instance, 170 different pesticides were found in Groningen and Frisian farmers' own houses (in potato farms). The programme is not yet complete, but initial findings do not reassure. The lack of knowledge on exposure to multiple residues of pesticides triggered the SPRINT research programme involving Wageningen University, quoted in the verdict. The judge considers that not enough is yet known about the wider effects on health and the environment in the longer term. On top of that, the two authorities do not consider the effect of exposure to 'cocktails' of pesticides. PAN Europe recently asked the EU Commission to address this gap in pesticide assessment (see below). The organisations that assess the products, the Dutch Ctgb and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), acknowledge this gap. The judge considers there is 'substantial international research', showing 'a causal link' between certain plant protection products and the development of neurological disorders such as Parkinson's. This is especially the case with neurotoxicity. The judge argues that there is a gap between the official authorisation of a number of pesticides and the (serious) effects they may have on people. Substantial research is available showing a link between exposure of citizens to pesticides and serious neurological disorders (such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and ALS). Based on the current authorisation requirements and the way the pesticides are applied, insufficient assurance can be given that these risks are reduced to an acceptable minimum. Despite this, the judge decided that residents run too many risks, which outweigh the profitability of lily cultivation.Īccording to the court, with regard to a number of pesticides used by lily grower, the possibility cannot be excluded that they may have an unacceptable harmful effect on humans. He does so according to the rules and takes extra measures, such as a small buffer zone between the field and the gardens of nearby residents. ![]() The lily grower sprays a cocktail of pesticides every week. They fear contracting serious neurological diseases such as Parkinson's or ALS. ![]() The case was started before a civil court by local residents. That pesticides are permitted by law and that this grower is even doing more to protect the environment than required by law does not rule out potentially serious injury. The court also considers that It is not about food production, but the extremely pesticide-intensive growing of lilies, a luxury product. ![]() However, the judge considers there are clear indications of harm to health and the environment and in this case, the precautionary principle prevails over profit. The ruling is remarkable because the pesticides are authorised. A lily grower in the north of the Netherlands is no longer allowed to spray pesticides on his lily field. For the very first time, a judge in an EU country has banned the spraying of pesticides on a specific crop because it poses high risks to health.
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