EU proposes to reduce use of chemical pesticides by 50 pct

BRUSSELS, June 22 (KUNA) -- The European Commission Wednesday proposed new rule to reduce the use and risk of chemical pesticides by 50 percent by 2030.
EU Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, Stella Kyriakides, told a press conference in Brussels today that: "It is time to change course on how we use pesticides in the EU. This is about the health of our citizens and our planet".
"We need to reduce the use of chemical pesticides to protect our soil, air and food, and ultimately the health of our citizens. For the first time, we will ban the use of pesticides pesticide in public gardens and playgrounds, ensuring that we are all far less exposed in our daily lives, she said.
The proposal is part of the legislative package for a Nature Restoration Law in avoiding ecosystem collapse and preventing the worst impacts of climate change and biodiversity loss, said the European Commission in a statement.
The first-ever legislation the restoration of Europe's nature, to repair the 80% of European habitats that are in poor condition, and to bring back nature to all ecosystems, from forest and agricultural land to marine, freshwater and urban ecosystems. (end) nk