The Voluntary Initiative Annual Report has confirmed that in its ninth year almost all the key targets have been met or exceeded.
Established in 2001, the VI promotes responsible pesticide use in UK agriculture and horticulture. Major schemes such as the National Register of Sprayer Operators (NRoSO) and the National Sprayer Testing Scheme (NSTS) and Crop Protection Management Plans (CPMPs) help raise environmental awareness and improve standards of crop protection.
“The continued success of the VI shows what can be achieved by industry working together with stakeholders, government and regulators in a ‘Big Society’ approach to responsible pesticide use,” said Professor Barry Dent, Chairman of the VI Steering Group.
“I am particularly pleased that leading farm assurance schemes serving the livestock sector have recognised that responsible pesticide use applies to scheme members. In the coming years, livestock farmers who use pesticides will face new domestic and EU regulations. These will require them to adopt higher standards.
“Through the VI, we have established farmer-led schemes that should ensure livestock farmers can meet these new requirements with the minimum of red tape.
“Positive partnerships with the Environment Agency, Natural England and the Campaign for the Farmed Environment have proved very successful and the VI looks forward to building on these partnerships in its tenth year.”
The VI annual report can be found here.
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