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Ecodesign Competence Centre

EKC

Society, non-governmental, non-profit organization "Ecodesign Competence Centre, EKC" is founded on 02.01.2013 by Latvian ecodesign experts with a professional experience and educational background in engineering and earth sciences. Currently EKC has 9 active members. EKC aims explaining and promoting the concept of ecodesign to consumers, state authorities, entrepreneurs by teaching and training, providing expertise and information based on scientific findings and research. EKC advocates more environmentally sound products and life cycle approach that are important preconditions for more sustainable consumption, environment and human health protection and caring for resources.

Lobbying Activity

Response to Farm to Fork Strategy

20 Mar 2020

The chapter: “Problem the initiative aims to tackle” shall mention the negative health impacts of pesticides on the people living close to agricultural fields and via food. Explanation: There is growing scientific evidence about adverse impacts of pesticides on human health. For example, In Brittany (France), a cohort study found a relationship between pyrethroids grade pesticide levels in pregnant women and their children and behavioral disorders, as well as pyrethroid levels in children and learning disabilities at six years of age (Viel, Jean-François, et al. "Behavioural disorders in 6-year-old children and pyrethroid insecticide exposure: the PELAGIE mother–child cohort."J. Occupational and environmental medicine, (2017)). Also adverse effects via food shall be studied more carefully, and avoided. At least, closer look shall be addressed to warnings of scientists regarding cumulative and synergetic effects, as well as endocrine substances as pesticides residues in the food. The need to care for biodiversity is not outlined sufficiently, in the EU Green Deal (Brussels, 11.12.2019 COM(2019) 640 final) more space was given explaining about need to preserve biodiversity. This roadmap shall address care for biodiversity more precise, as EU Green deal, and outline these tasks more detailed. In chapter “B. What does the initiative aim to achieve and how “ The roadmapmust outline more clear targets as it was promised in the EU Green Deal (EU Green Deal (Brussels, 11.12.2019 COM(2019) 640 final). We join PAN - Europe proposal "EU-wide targets, including reducing pesticide use by 80% by 2030, and overall targets to increase the share of organic farming" Explanation: the roadmap for the “Farm to fork strategy" shall be more precise than “EU Green Deal" and shall mention more concrete objectives. The EU Green deal promised “The strategic plans will need to reflect an increased level of ambition to reduce significantly the use and risk of chemical pesticides, as well as the use of fertilisers and antibiotics”, “These plans should lead to the use of sustainable practices, such as precision agriculture, organic farming, agro-ecology, agro-forestry and stricter animal welfare standards”, “All EU policies should contribute to preserving and restoring Europe’s natural capital. The Farm to Fork Strategy, outlined in section 2.1.6, will address the use of pesticides and fertilisers in agriculture”. This document shall make these tasks more concrete, or, at least, mention these promises. The roadmap also need to address promotion of green public procurement and organic food. Explanation: Public bodies are significant clients for caterers and food producers. The Green public procurement is an important tool to procure food that is produced in more sustainable way. The Farm to fork strategy also shall be task giver to CAP in order to promote sustainable agriculture. Explanation: Current CAP led to disappearance of small farms, and the largest amount of financial means went to bigger polluters. This was unsustainable trend, much more care shall be given to building sustainable food systems.
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