Defra and the HSE have published new requirements for users of PPPs (professional plant protection products) despite a lack on consultation with the industry.
This now means that anyone who uses PPPs will have to register with Defra or the equivalent government departments in Scotland and Wales by 22 June 2022.
While the OCR (Official Controls Regulations) introducing these new requirements are not new, there has been a concerning lack of consultation on how they are going to be implemented. The NFU has contacted Defra for urgent discussions on the process of introducing new requirements.
Introduced in 2020, the OCR is a package of requirements to ensure regulators are engaging with professional users and distributors of PPPs in a proactive way, establishing a risk-based approach to inspection and enforcement. The aim is to ensure compliance with existing pesticide legislation, across agriculture, horticulture, amenity and forestry.
What to do next
You will be asked to provide information about the quantity of professional PPPs you use and/or store in a typical year. The Defra website gives examples of PPPs and adjuvants as well as information on how the HSE will enforce the regulations.
"Extremely disappointed"
NFU Vice President David Exwood said: “This additional red tape is very poorly timed, affecting farmers and growers when their businesses are already under significant stress from spiralling costs, in particular for fertiliser, feed and labour.
“We’re extremely disappointed about the lack of consultation with industry on these changes from Defra. And, the concerning feedback I have already heard from members since this requirement was published shows that consultation with farmers was desperately needed.
“We have contacted Defra to urgently discuss these requirements, to share members’ concerns about avoiding unnecessary duplication and better understand the role and use of the Register moving forwards.”