Defra yesterday released its draft plan for pesticide regulation in the UK. The ‘UK National Action Plan for the Sustainable Use of Pesticides’ opened for consultation this week; the plan is designed to ensure the UK adheres to EU legislation on pesticide and comes at an acutely controversial time for the pesticide industry.

The focus of Defra’s NAP draft remains on continued use of ‘voluntary schemes’ to meet pesticide targets. It highlights the approach of the Voluntary Initiative as an effective means to improve best practice without the need to regulate.  

According to Defra ministers the new guidelines will pave the way towards reducing the impacts of pesticide use on human health and the environment and promote “integrated pest management and [adoption] of alternative approaches or techniques such as non-chemical alternatives to pesticides.”

Many farming industry bodies have welcomed the plan, though conservationists have criticised it as ineffectual and suggested it will merely uphold the status quo.

NFU Deputy President Meurig Raymond yesterday commented, “The NAP consultation document appears to take a scientific risk reduction approach to pesticide usage, and bases its recommendations accordingly. We feel that this is a positive move, as a holistic, science-led approach to the management of pesticides is the right course of action.”

He continued, “The recognition of the high standards of pesticide stewardship by the farming sector is welcome and justified, as the agricultural industry already operates to world leading levels of stewardship. We will be submitting a response to the consultation that outlines where we feel that the NAP draft can be improved, but overall we feel that the current draft is sensible and well thought out.”

However, the plan’s release coincides with a drive by conservationists across Europe, including international green group Friends of the Earth, to ban certain chemical pesticides from use within the EU.

Numerous scientific studies released over the past year have highlighted links between neonicotinoid pesticides and bee deaths; campaigners have called on the EU and UK governments to ban the controversial substances. France has already acted on these calls, outlawing a seed preparation for use with oilseed rape earlier in the year.

Friends of the Earth has called on the UK government to draw up a national ‘Bee Action Plan’ which would develop a cohesive policy to address falling bee number across the UK and the rest of Europe. Nevertheless, the organisation’s Nature Campaigner Sandra Bell said yesterday’s proposals "contain no real commitment to phase-out the most harmful pesticides or help farmers find alternatives.”

She added, "Pesticide-use is increasing on crops pollinated by bees, heightening the risk to them - action to reverse this must be a priority. France has banned a pesticide linked to the dramatic decline in bee numbers - the UK should suspend neonicotinoids while their impact is assessed."

Vicky Kindemba, Conservation Projects Manager at Buglife also questioned claims the plans will drive pesticide use in a more sustainable direction. She said, “The plan fails to take action to protect important invertebrates including vital pollinators such as bees, butterflies and hoverflies. With strong scientific research and increasing public concern over the harmful impact of neonicotinoids on pollinating insects the Government should be using this opportunity to show that they are taking the impacts of harmful pesticides seriously and implementing a strong plan to deliver clear action”.

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