Moves to increase controls for imports into the European Union (EU) will potenitally hit Australian canola producers hard when it comes to pesticide use.
The details have been released by the Vision for Agriculture and Food report released by the EU's European Commission and would require any producer exporting to the EU to meet the same rules that apply to EU farmers.
Queensland Country Life reported that it is likely if Australian growers want to maintain access to the EU market for canola, where around 80 per cent of Australia's canola is currently exported, they would have to meet these guidelines.
Grain Producers Australia Research, Development and Extension Spokesperson and Victorian grower Andrew Weidemann said the news was concerning and GPA maintained long-standing concerns about the EU's unscientific approach to market access matters.
"GPA will continue monitoring these developments closely, especially for potential local impacts relevant to the trade of grains, engaging with other stakeholders," he said.
He said GPA was advocating for an evidence-based approach from the EC in regards to pesticide use in line with World Trade Organisation rules.
"We don't want to see pesticide use manipulated to allow protectionism," Mr Weidemann said.
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