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If you are involved in pesticide applications then it is worth keeping an eye on Pesticides.co.uk.
The way pesticides are currently approved is according to a strict labelling process; chemicals are licensed for use as described on the label, with a few chemicals having approval for 'off-label' application (or approval for wider use than stated on the label). I don't remember what the penalties are for unauthorised use, I would need to check.
I think that the possible new legislation may just restrict the way certain pesticides are used in a certain context - rather than removing a product from the market entirely, it may be the case that it is restricted for use in agriculture but may still be allowed for domestic gardening use.
Does anyone have any more information on this? If not, I'll have a bit more of a dig around and see what I can find.
Agriculture Ministers adopt Plant Protection Product Regulation
And a Google News search result.
I have been involved in the professional sportsturf industry since 1981, and heavily involved in the application of pesticides to amenity turf. In January 2008 there was a big meeting with the Suits in Brussels and the UK Pesticide Manufacturers got together to lobby the Ministers ahead of the meeting date and they actually won an apprieve for Carbendazim which is a turf fungicide and worm cast control product. Such action only helps to push up prices after a bit of scare mongering amongst amenity turf product suppliers.
Pesticides are an easy target. These suits have tried to play around with the shape and size of bananas and now they have backed down as it was affecting trade. Perhaps they should target the fruit and salad growers in Europe who send produce like apples over to the UK with more pesticide on it than an average golf green.
I am all for protecting the environment and water which is why as a company we have spent a small fortune developing the first four self propelled boom spraying units called The Spraying Mantis. These allow us to spray golf courses and sports grounds keeping the spray solution where it was intended - on the weeds and grass rather than drifting away. We have gained economies of sale over the wind as can go out in some quite windy weather when otherwise respect for the legislation and environment and professional status would have forced us to cancel the work. Our first spraying unit is now in it's 11th year and still going like a train. We also teach the Safe Use of Pesticides to our Clients who are seeking accreditation under Food and Environmental Protection Act (FEPA) legislation and Control of Pesticides Regulations (COPR).
Holidaying in Southern France many times, when they are busy spraying fungicides onto the grape vines - the farmer (and his dog) both on the mini tractor have no protective clothing on, and literally mix the active ingredient in the road gulley with massive piles of yellow residue left after each fill. If we are all working to the same rules in the EU then let's do it and stick to some of the legislation that they get us to adhere to in our industry and Country because Green Keepers and Turf Managers are a jolly resonsible lot who win awards for enhancing the environment surround their golf course or sportsground. Do they still smoke in French and Spanish supermarkets? No doubt those responsible for running our Country (or do Brussels run it) will deceide to ban the use of all pesticides and then it will be time to retire. What is saving us is the demise of UK Farming sadly and the associated reduction in the use of Nitrates and Pesticides so perhaps this could be considered to be a natural downturn that may allow us to retain the use of some of the active ingredients that we rely on to keep this green and pleasant land the way we are used to seeing it.
One last thought on the 'toxic to humans'. Household cleaning products and common table salt are far more toxic and harmful to humans than the pesticides they would come into contact with. 'Eat five a day' be careful to wash it all first!
I can only think of one 'toxic' active ingredient that is used in turf care to control Leatherjacket Larvae. All the others are Harmful or Irritant, mostly the concentrate to the skin and eyes if the concentrate is taken in orally. If the label is followed and a proper risk assessment done to assess the need for the personal protective equipment to be owrn (if any required at all in some instance) then there should not be a problem. The word 'toxic' should not be used to describe pesticides as most are not.