WRITTEN QUESTION E-2703/99 by Chris Davies (ELDR) to the Commission. Cotton production in Asia.
28. 12. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 374 E/11 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (2), and Council Directive 79/409/EEC of 2 April 1979 on the conservation of wild birds (3) is a condition for any assistance from the structural funds. (1) OJ C 267, 22. 9. 1999, p. 2. (2) OJ L 206, 22. 7. 1992, p. 7. (3) OJ L 103, 25. 4. 1979, p. 1. (2000/C 374 E/013) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2703/99 by Chris Davies (ELDR) to the Commission (12 January 2000) Subject: Cotton production in Asia According to a News Summaryí item published by the UN Information Centre earlier this year, The FAO has plans for a major project on environmentally friendly cotton production in Asia financed by the EU, for Bangladesh, China, India, Pakistan, the Philippines and Vietnam, designed to reduce insecticide use by farmers by more than 50 % while increasing production. í Will the Commission provide details of this scheme and confirm that it will neither involve the use of genetically modified organisms nor threaten biodiversity? Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission (25 February 2000) The objective of this regional project is the sustainable, profitable and environmentally sound production of cotton in six participating countries (India, Pakistan, China, Bangladesh, Vietnam, and the Philippines). This is being achieved through the development, promotion and practice of integrated pest management (IPM) by farmers and extension staff. Integrated pest management (Agenda 21), which combines biological control, host plant resistance and appropriate farming practices and minimises the use of pesticides, guarantees yields, reduces costs, is environmentally friendly and contributes to the sustainability of agriculture. IPM therefore entails a strong concern for biodiversity, and a substantial reduction in pesticide use which is achievable without the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). The strategy of the project, which has just commenced (November 1999), will follow the policies outlined in Control of Pesticides and IPMí, which will be one of progressive pest management based on three main principles: establishing control over pesticide use, reducing reliance on pesticide use and actions for the promotion of integrated pest management. The Commission is aware that the Chinese public sector organisations have, since 1988, made major investments in plant biotechnology, and genetically modified cotton has been grown commercially in China in certain areas since 1998. The Commission has supported a mission of biosafety experts to China to investigate the safety of their work and the Chinese authorities have established biosafety regulations which are in accordance with international standards. The adoption of transgenic plants in agriculture has proceeded at a rapid rate but the evaluation of the impact and integration of transgenic crops into IPM systems is an entirely new area. How these crops can be incorporated as safe and effective components of sustainable IPM systems remains to be determined. All this will be taken into account when the China component for this Community regional project is being decided with the Chinese authorities, together with the relevant social, cultural and environmental factors which are pertinent to China. Those discussions will provide an opportunity to examine the various viewpoints and to agree on project sites and cotton varieties that will not prejudice either the Chinese or the Community positions on the use of genetically modified plants