EU to ban most aerial crop spraying

BRUSSELS, Dec. 19 (UPI) -- EU leaders and member states report reaching a deal on legislation that would ban 22 toxic chemicals and virtually halt aerial crop-spraying.

EU officials, however, said the pesticides will remain on the market until at least 2016, when current authorizations of the chemicals reach their end dates. Aerial crop-spraying and pesticide use will be virtually eliminated in public parks, schools, playgrounds and near hospitals.

Agribusiness and the chemical industry have opposed the legislation, saying it will result in lower crop yields and higher food prices.