The European Commission will undertake separate assessments of the proposals contained in its Farm to Fork strategy rather than an overall evaluation of its effect on farmers.

The strategy contains radical proposals around pesticide, fertiliser and antimicrobial use, as well as targets for organic farming.

A senior European Commission official, Alexandra Nikolakopoulou, who is overseeing the strategy, told MEPs that evidence-based policy was important.

“Impact assessments will be carried out for all the proposals and any legally binding targets,” she said.

Fine Gael MEP Colm Markey said the impact assessments should be designed to advise the Commission of any changes required.

He highlighted concerns around displacement of EU produce by food produced to a lower standard in third countries, and threats to biosecurity.