New partnership to promote responsible pesticide use

A new strategic partnership has been announced between The Voluntary Initiative (VI) and the England Catchment Sensitive Farming Delivery Initiative (ECSFDI) to promote responsible pesticide use and water protection to farmers across England.

The partnership’s work will include farmer surveys, agronomist workshops led by the Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC), water protection workshops for farmers by the NFU and training for trainers organised by the Crop Protection Association (CPA).

These activities will be underpinned by a toolbox of additional advice materials developed by the VI to promote responsible pesticide use. These will be distributed widely via publications and the media as well as on an upgraded VI website - www.voluntaryinitiative.org.uk - and include the publication of a new best practice advice booklet on protecting water from crop protection products.

VI Water Sub-Group Chairman, Prof. Bob Breach, said: "We are pleased to have reached agreement on this partnership that allows us to extend the advice the VI has been developing in pilot and target catchments to farms across England."

Dr Philippa Mansfield from Natural England added: "The VI will be providing practical advice for farmers on best practice pesticide use, which should help reduce diffuse water pollution from agricultural pesticides. It is great that this advice will be made available across the country to extend the benefits."