Loss of essential pesticides for crop protection was a key issue under discussion in the second session at the Irish Farmers Journal Tillage Day 2026.
Emma Brown of CropLife Europe, which represents the crop protection sector within the EU, explained some of the work they do.
“We monitor the results of votes around the substances that feed into crop protection products. Over the last seven years there’s been a net loss of over 90 substances” she explained. “The innovation pipeline is blocked, and we’ve only had one new conventional substance approved in the last seven years."
Brown highlighted progress in talks to fully realign pesticide regulations between the EU and the UK. “The UK was always a more pragmatic stakeholder with the science,” she said, highlighting that three products fully approved in UK “are still in the system” in the EU. "A further 12 to 15 substances are in the pipeline in the UK, I have no idea where they are in the EU," she added.
She expressed optimism that the alignment could see more products suitable for Irish crops approved.
Liam MacHale, the IFA’s Brussels director, spoke in favour of maximum residue limits (MRLs), but expressed concern at double standards.
“We’re very supportive of free trade, and MRLs facilitate that. They are grounded in science. But it’s a very legitimate concern if you see products that we’re no longer using that are being used by third country farmers, and those products are coming in on crops.” Session chair, Irish Farmers Journal editor, Adam Woods referenced the different approach taken to beef, where an outright ban on Brazilian beef has been imposed for two years. MacHale observed “the Commission realised that some of the environmental targets were too extreme. They are now looking to protect vulnerable sectors, whether that be the cereal or livestock sector, and we’ve seen statements from the Health and Safety Commissioner that they are looking to level the playing field."
A question from the floor asked if the mood music in Brussels had changed. “Are we looking more at food security?”
“Food security is close to the top of political priorities, but there are a lot of critical issues. It’s our job to ensure that food production and food security remain top priorities,” replied MacHale. Brown added “it was good to see that agriculture was acknowledged as one of the five priority sectors for the EU in 2027”.
