Observations on the neonicotinoids implementing act challenge
On 7th April 2017, Julie Girdling (UK/ECR) submitted three objections to restrictions on 3 neonicotinoid pesticides: active substance coinciding; imidacloprid; ethiamethoxam.
Neonicotinoids are a group of pesticides that mimic nicotine. They have been subject to EU restrictions because questions of impacting bees.
The grounds put forward to objecting to the 3 draft implementing acts were that the Commission had exceeded the implementing powers provided for in the basic act. Please go the bottom of the post for the 3 objections.
As is normal, after a discussion in the Environment Committee on 21 June, the Committee voted the next day.
On 22 June, the European Parliament rejected the move.
The amendments were defeated. 8 MEPs backed the challenged and 43 voted against.
As there is no automatic roll call vote, it is not possible to identify how individual MEPs voted.
I understand it was supported by some ECR MEPs and some classical liberals in the ALDE Group.
Observations
- The trend for motions being put forward by a single group being defeated continues.
- The focus of challenges to be directed towards sensitive issues – pesticides, GMOs, baby food – continues.
- Anything that does not have broad cross party support, in particular from the Social Democrats, is unlikely to succeed.
- At times, it seems like a theoretical possibility that the EP will support a challenge against a restriction on some substances.
- As with delegated legislation in general, and implementing acts in particular, the key stage to influence the outcome is to influence the Commission’s proposal. Whatever the Commission is, in all likelihood, going to be adopted.