The NFU is encouraging members to make their voices heard as Defra looks at how it will implement new EU rules on pesticides.
The department has launched its consultation into how the UK will meet the European Directive on the Sustainable Use of Pesticides - legislation which was passed last year and covers the sale, marketing and use of crop protection products. This marks the first time pesticides have been regulated at a European level.
Defra's document contains no preferred options but outlines three possible ways of meeting the requirements:
Option 1 – Implementation of the minimum requirement - "the do nothing approach"
Option 2 – Improve and strengthen the current statutory and voluntary controls - "the enhanced voluntary approach"
Option 3 – Adopt regulatory controls wherever possible - "the regulatory approach"
The department's own figures show that the cost of the regulatory approach could be as much as £176 million for the industry and £111 million for government. And it's not just about which products can be used. The consultation also looks at issues like sprayer testing, training of operators and people selling pesticides, specific measures to protect water, aerial spraying and the promotion of integrated pest management.
In addition it considers whether neighbour notification should be necessary and if there should be access to spray records. As a result of the legislation, grandfather rights will have to disappear and it will be compulsory for all professional pesticide users to keep records for three years.
The final directive text was published in November, after fierce lobbying by the NFU during its two year passage through the co-decision process. The eventual version approved was far less damaging than that put forward earlier in discussions. Members can read a briefing by clicking on the link to the right of the page. Have your say by emailing the NFU here.
NFU comment
Plant health adviser Paul Chambers said: “This is a very important consultation which could have significant impacts on the way pesticides and used so we will be fully consulting with our members before giving a detailed response to Defra. All along we have said that existing UK and voluntary measures largely meet the requirements of the Directive and that these must be supported rather than new legislation introduced. Voluntary measures like the Voluntary Initiative do work and have clearly been shown to work and must be supported.
"We understand the concerns of some people about the use of pesticides. However this group of chemicals is already very highly regulated and farmers and growers have widely supported voluntary measures like sprayer testing and spray operator training. In addition, much neighbour notification already happens on a voluntary basis. An NFU survey of its members last summer showed a low level of neighbour concern about the use of pesticides and we believe any legislation should reflect that. With the current food production challenge now looming it is vital that farmers have the tools necessary to produce this extra food. The safe use of pesticides is vital in enabling our growers to produce wholesome, nutritious and affordable food.”
Read more from our animal and plant health channel here.
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