The recently announced European Commission public consultation is looking for views on how to regulate chemicals in the environment in terms of their ability to interact with the endocrine (hormone) system. Many natural and man-made chemicals can have an effect on this system including coffee, vitamin D, soya milk and paracetamol, but only if taken in excessive amounts.

The proposed new legislation is being applied to pesticides, biocides, and other chemicals, but current proposals could result in the loss of key classes of pesticide including the triazole fungicides and pyrethroids.  Bayer believes it is essential that the risk of harm occurring to endocrine systems is fully assessed when deciding whether to ban an active substance, and not just whether the chemical has the potential to cause harm.

Dr Julian Little, a spokeperson for Bayer CropScience said: “We would ask farmers and agronomists, together with others in agriculture, what the impact of losing important tools for controlling Septoria and other diseases, would have on their businesses, their livelihoods and their sustainability in the long run. If you are concerned then it is important to convey your concerns during this public consultation.”

The public consultation runs until the 16 January 2015 and can be found at http://ec.europa.eu/eusurvey/runner/ED-consultation. There is an opportunity to give information on a number of potential options as well an the opportunity to give a view on the legislation as a whole in section 4 of the on-line document.