New pesticide rules put focus on UK stewardship

The Chemicals Regulation Directorate has confirmed that UK implementation of new EU rules on the sustainable use of pesticides will take effect later this month (18th July) under the Plant Protection Products (Sustainable Use) Regulations 2012.

Dr Anne Buckenham, Director of Policy at the Crop Protection Association (CPA) said access to effective crop protection products was vital to maintain a competitive and sustainable crop production sector.

"The UK farming and crop protection sector has worked hard to set the highest stewardship standards in Europe, and this has been recognised by the UK Government in its 'light touch’ implementation of these pan-European requirements. Ongoing programmes such as the Voluntary Initiative, Farm Assurance Schemes and Campaign for the Farmed Environment will play a key role in delivering the requirements of the new rules, and the industry must continue to work together to maintain and enhance our standards of stewardship across all sectors,” said Dr Buckenham.

"Alongside the Government’s clear endorsement of these initiatives, we also welcome confirmation in the new legislation that the UK’s current statutory requirement for certification of sprayer operators will be maintained. CPA led cross-industry calls for the UK Government to retain this statutory provision, which underpins industry initiatives such as the National Register of Sprayer Operators (NRoSO), and will help ensure the UK’s existing robust controls on pesticide use are maintained.”

The Agricultural Industries Confederation, which represents distributors of crop protection products, welcomed the continuation of the requirement for users of professional products to hold a certificate of competence in the UK’s regulation implementing the Sustainable Use Directive.

"AIC, along with the whole crop protection industry, has lobbied hard for the maintenance of professional standards which have been developed voluntarily over the past decade,” said Hazel Doonan, Head of AIC’s Crop Protection Sector.