The Directive, which is due to return to the European Parliament for its second reading next week, aims to cut down the number of pesticides in use, by moving from a risk based assessment to a so-called 'hazard based approach'.

If adopted, it will means that some substances will be banned merely if they have certain properties, whatever the low nature of the risk associated with them.

Not surprisingly, this has met with fierce opposition from farmers who warn that if these proposals go ahead yields of key crops such as wheat will plummet by up to 35 percent and other crops, particularly vegetables, will no longer be viable.

The problem is that there will be no alternative pest and fungal controls available on the UK market and new ones are unlikely to be developed for many years.

By way of example, Diana Wallis was concerned to learn of the potential effects of the withdrawal of pendimethalin used to ensure the clearance of previous crops such as potatoes before a pea crop can be established.

The MEP said: "The results of this one withdrawal could be devastating to a hugely important local agriculture industry with a worst case scenario seeing the growing of peas in this county moving to New Zealand.

"It important that that the European Parliament understands the effects of these proposals on such a region as ours. I certainly intend to see what amendments we can try to introduce and to seek to highlight the difficult position of our local farmers and growers with the Commission with whom the proposals originated."

Representing the National Farmers Union, Laurie Norris said: "Our meeting today with Diana Wallis MEP was an important part of intensive lobbying work being carried out across the country to raise awareness of the impact of these proposals.

"The potential threat to home-produced food is very real and this is a message we must get across. Working with our MEPs will be crucial in trying to achieve the amendments we need. Sleep-walking into such new regulation is not an option."