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Keeping pesticides debate 'open and rational'

Sir, 

Regarding 'Study suggests pesticides 'crucial' for EU food supply':

The use and value of pesticides in food production is clearly an emotive issue, and one that elicits strong and deeply-held opinions across the political and scientific spectrum.

When examined in detail, it has implications of the highest importance to us all: environmental protection; health impacts of using pesticides and eating foods produced with pesticides; producing enough high quality food to meet demand (at a time when health campaigners encourage a diet rich in fresh fruit and vegetables); Europe's reliance on (and control over the safety of) food imports, and; employment and economic competitiveness – to name just a few! 

With such critical issues at stake, it is imperative that interested parties are able to enter into a rational and open debate, presenting their perspective and enabling policymakers to consider all the available evidence and facts. Sensationalism and propaganda designed only to play on (mis)perceptions and fears should have no place in this debate. 

Only by doing this can we expect policymakers to reach an appropriate regulatory outcome that provides the best balance to a complex and important topic. 

Euros Jones 

European Crop Protection Association ( ECPA )

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