The end of carrots and parsnips as we know them?

That's the threat according to some British farmers after the latest EU ruling.

Officials in Brussels have banned 22 key pesticides that are used in arable crop growth, including pyrethroid insecticides and pendimethalin herbicides.

They sound a mouthful, and too obscure to matter, but apparently banning these chemicals will significantly raise food prices, and destroy farming communities.

Root vegetables, particularly carrots and parsnips will be particularly affected, say farmers.

And according to Conservative MEP Robert Sturdy, "Banning products that are safe when used correctly will add to already volatile food prices and food shortages."

Using pesticides near schools, parks or hospitals will be forbidden or severely restricted and most aerial crop spraying will be banned.

Well, it doesn't sound like a bad idea to us. And didn't farming communities exist before these 20th century chemicals?

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