Farming: Call for £5m scheme to protect plants

The UK government is being urged to support a proposal for the EU to create an annual £5 million budget for specialist plant protection products.

Pesticide manufacturers are deterred from developing new products for small but high-added value markets due to the extremely stringent, lengthy and costly EU approval process.

NFU Scotland and the Ulster Farmers’ Union have written a joint letter to the new Secretary for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Owen Paterson, seeking support for a scheme similar to the Minor Crop Pest Management Programme in the US which, it is claimed, generates $192 for every dollar spent.

“In the light of the urgency of the problem, and the overwhelming arguments, we are disappointed by the continued failure of the European Commission to report on how it intends to address the issue,” said NFUS specialist crops spokesman Russell Brown.

“We believe there is every justification for a strong system in Europe similar to the American system.”

EDDIE GILLANDERS