Statistics on pesticides

The Commission accepted in full, in part or in principle 12 of the 26 amendments adopted by the European Parliament in its first reading. Five of these 12 amendments are already reflected, at least in part, in the common position.

The Commission accepted amendments, either fully or in principle or in part, which would clarify and improve upon the Commission proposal. These include modifications:

·         explaining the quality criteria for official statistics and the scope of confidentiality,

·         giving a better description of the objectives of the proposal,

·         creating a more explicit link with the other legislative proposals for the pesticide thematic strategy, in particular with the new Regulation for the placing of plant protection products on the market, concerning the application of reporting obligations and the revision of the list of products. The Commission expressed a reserved position with regard to the extension of the scope to biocides.

The Commission mainly rejected amendments considered to be either redundant or in conflict

with the general provisions of Council Regulation (EC) No 322/97 on Community statistics and the rules of the European Statistical System or to be technically unfeasible, premature or needlessly burdensome from an administrative viewpoint and for respondents.

The Commission considers that the common position does not alter the approach or aims of the proposal and can thus support it as it stands.