UK sets the pesticide standard for EU rules

Farmers fearing another ratcheting up in safety standards on pesticides will, according to NFU Scotland, welcome yesterday's response from Defra that UK standards are among the highest in Europe if not the world.

As result of this assessment, Defra intend, only to carry out minor adjustments to existing legislation and the union's policy director Scott Walker said it appeared they had taken on board comments made by industry on pesticides.

"It is important to bear in mind that in the UK, the voluntary initiative on pesticides, coupled with testing for sprayers and sprayer operators have seen the industry go to huge lengths to ensure the safe and effective use of plant protection products on farm," he said.

Walker added that the continued safe use and availability of such products remained vital to the efficient production of food on almost every UK farm.

In making the announcement, UK government minister Lord Henley emphasized the need to protect the public and the environment from harm but also the need to do so by following sound scientific and other robust evidence.

"By making a small number of changes to our existing approach, we can continue to help feed a growing global population with high-quality food that's affordable, while minimising the risks of using pesticides," he said.

The small changes being proposed include alterations to training and certification, the setting of a statutory regime for equipment testing and a restriction on the sale of professional products to certified users.

Proposals for revising the current fees and charges which pay for pesticide approval testing and monitoring are also being developed to meet the new EU obligations and will be consulted on in the new year.

The new legislation forms part of the EU thematic strategy on pesticides, which aims to bring all member states up to comparable high standards, like those in the UK, to create a level playing field across Europe.