We stress the global dimension of this issue: Europe consumes many products imported from other countries, while European farmers operate within a global market. Therefore, imported products should comply with the same pesticide standards as those applied within the EU. This would help to:

• Ensure a level playing field for European farmers.

• Avoid outsourcing environmental and health impacts to third countries.

• Make EU pesticide policy more coherent.

• Promote local product consumption.

• Encourage direct links between farmers, retailers and consumers.

At the same time, we recognise another contradiction: some pesticides that are banned for use within the EU are still produced in Europe and exported to third countries. This should also be forbidden as part of a global approach to pesticide reduction.

The European Commission notably the DG Trade needs to review rule for importation within trade agreements, while the European council needs to agree this general direction.