EU Commission proposes 50pc pesticides cut by 2030

BRUSSELS, June 23 (AP): The European Union's executive arm on Wednesday proposed setting legally binding targets to reduce the use of chemical pesticides by 50% by 2030 and a ban on all pesticide use in areas such public parks, playgrounds and schools.
The European Commission said the current rules limiting the use of pesticides were too weak and have not been applied consistently across the EU.
A study by the group Pesticide Action Network Europe last month said the contamination of fruit and vegetables produced in the European Union with the most toxic pesticides has substantially increased over the past decade.
To facilitate the transition from chemical pesticides to alternative methods, farmers would be able to use EU funds to cover the cost of the new requirements for five years, the European Commission said.