Page 170 - CW E-Magazine (7-11-2023)

News from Abroad

HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS

EU parliamentarians seek cut in use of chemical

pesticides

In a text adopted with 47 votes to reduction of the use of chemical pes- accelerate the authorisation process of
37 and 2 abstentions, Members of the ticides would have the biggest impact. low-risk pesticides and biocontrol, as
European Parliament (MEPs) have said current lengthy procedures are a
that by 2030, the EU must reduce the Ban on chemical pesticides in sensi- significant obstacle to their uptake. The
use and risk of chemical plant protec- tive areas changes introduced by the new rules
tion products by at least 50% and the MEPs want to ban the use of chemi- would be gradual to minimise any im-
use of so-called “more hazardous pro- cal pesticides (except those authorised pact on food security.
ducts” by 65%, compared to the 2013- for organic farming and biological
2017 average. The Commission pro- control) in sensitive areas, and within Import from non-EU countries
posed a 50% target for both based on a five-metre buffer zone, such as all By December 2025, the Commis-
the 2015-2017 average. urban green spaces including parks, sion must examine the differences
playgrounds, recreation areas, public in the use of pesticides on imported
MEPs want each member state to paths, as well as Natura 2000 areas. agricultural and agri-food products rela-
adopt national targets and strategies, tive to EU produce and, if needed, pro-
based on the substances sold per year, MEPs say that EU countries must pose measures to ensure imports meet
their hazard level and the size of their ensure that chemical pesticides are only EU-equivalent standards. In addition,
agricultural area. The Commission used as a last resort, as set down in the export of pesticides not approved in
would then verify whether national Integrated Pest Management. To better EU would be prohibited.
targets need to be more ambitious to equip farmers with substitute substan-
achieve EU 2030 targets. ces, they want the Commission to set an The proposal is part of a package of
EU 2030 target for increasing the sales measures aiming at reducing the envi-
In order to maximise the impact of of low-risk pesticides, six months after ronmental footprint of the EU’s food
national strategies, member states must the entry into force of the Regulation. system and mitigating the economic
also have in place crop-specific rules At the same time, the Commission losses due to climate change and bio-
for at least those five crops where a must also evaluate methodologies to diversity loss.
BLUE HYDROGEN

bp selects Johnson Matthey’s technology for its

first hydrogen project

Johnson Matthey (JM), a global jobs, regeneration, and the revitalisa-
leader in sustainable technologies, tion of the surrounding area.
and bp have signed a licensing and
engineering agreement for Johnson The LCH technology couples a
Matthey’s LCH technology at bp’s pro- gas-heated reformer with an autother-
posed flagship low carbon (blue) mal reformer (GHR-ATR). It offers the
hydrogen facility in Teesside, UK. lowest natural gas usage commercially
blished pipe corridors, and planned car- available today and can capture up to
H2Teesside aims to be one of the bon capture transportation and storage 99% of CO produced. This means for
2
first low carbon hydrogen production infrastructure that is being developed H2Teesside it would deliver the lowest
facilities in the UK. by the bp-led Northern Endurance Part- levellised cost of hydrogen (LCOH)
nership, the Teesside area is uniquely and the most carbon efficient techno-
Due to its proximity to domestically placed for H2Teesside to help lead a logy available today for low carbon
sourced North Sea natural gas, esta- low carbon transformation, supporting (blue) hydrogen production.

170 Chemical Weekly November 7, 2023

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