New rules on pesticide use will bring other EU countries into line with UK standards

The Crop Protection Association (CPA) has welcomed a 12-week consultation launched today on options to implement new EU pesticide rules as a key opportunity to recognise and build on the high stewardship standards already in place in the UK, and to ensure a level-playing field across the rest of the EU.

The consultation, issued on behalf of Defra by the HSE’s Chemicals Regulation Directorate, seeks views on UK implementation of requirements set out under the EU Directive on the Sustainable Use of Pesticides, agreed last year, and associated measures under the EU Plant Protection Products Regulation.

"The UK leads the way in Europe on responsible pesticide use through stewardship programmes such as the Voluntary Initiative," said Dr Anne Buckenham, CPA Director of Policy. "We welcome this consultation as a means of raising standards across the EU to those already largely in place in the UK through a combination of statutory and voluntary measures.

"In particular, we are keen to ensure that schemes put in place through the Voluntary Initiative are properly recognised for their success and cost-effectiveness, and that the high standards set through the VI are maintained. In many instances, such as the VI requirement for annual sprayer testing, UK measures already go further than the Directive, and we must make sure that these are not watered down.

"CPA will respond in detail to the questions and options raised in this consultation. Our overriding objective is that the practical implementation of this legislation in the UK allows pesticides to be used safely for people, wildlife and the environment, while safeguarding their vital role in food production by preventing crop losses due to pests, diseases and weed competition," said Dr Buckenham.