The crop protection industry is a major chemical sector, currently struggling with a poor image linked to pesticides, "chemical agriculture" and adversarial relations to some NGOs and media.
ECPA's chairman stated that "uncertainty is the enemy of innovation" and hoped to position the sector within its political, social and media context.
EurActiv's publisher Christophe Leclercq explained that although progress on the Lisbon strategy is slow, there is room for optimism with the EU's industrial policy and research initiatives. A representative of the European Chemical Industry Council (CEFIC) showed that it is possible to co-operate with the EU institutions. He used as an example the sustainable chemistry platform funded under the sixth Framework Programme of DG Research (FP6).
However, a market research consultant regretted that regulations tend to slow down and reduce the number of new products that are introduced. Despite encouraging developments in biotech, he noted that reduced agricultural policy funding and generic products might further hold back industry growth.
ECPA's main policy priority is a revision of directive 91/414, regulating essentially the approval of pesticides and which very much pre-dates the heated discussions on REACH.
