Open Letter: The reform of agriculture statistics

On behalf of 79 organisations across Europe, including environmental and health associations, beekeepers associations, trade unions, the organisers of the European Citizens’ Initiative “Save Bees and Farmers”, the European umbrella organisation for organic food and farming, and the European association of drinking water and waste water services, we are writing to voice our concerns regarding the ongoing EU reform of agriculture statistics. Specifically, we are concerned about the limited availability of data on the use of plant protection products and other toxic chemicals in agriculture.

The Council just recently adopted its position which raises serious concerns in relation to two vital aspects of this reform. First, ensuring that the relevant data are collected from the relevant sources in the most efficient way; and second, ensuring that the relevant data are proactively published at a meaningful level of detail.

We are urging you to raise these issues within the ongoing trilogue negotiations and ensure this reform delivers on these points.

Read the Open Letter here