Working to eliminate the dangers of toxic pesticides, our exposure to them, and their presence in the environment where we live and work

The UK Pesticide Strategy and National Action Plans

http://www.pesticides.gov.uk/uploadedfiles/Web_Assets/PSD/Updated_National_Strategy.pdf

Where did it come from?

• EU 6th Environmental Action Program

• EU thematic strategy for pesticides

• Anticipation of new Directive

• Recognition that pesticides are associated with risk and that measures are required to minimise the risk

What does it set out to achieve?

• Related solely to plant protection products

• Deals with marketing, use and food residues

• Is relevant to the whole of the UK (sort of!)

What does it set out to achieve?

• It aims to contribute to three of DEFRA’s strategic objectives

• A healthy, resilient, productive and diverse natural environment

• A thriving farming and food sector

• Sustainable patterns of consumption and production

What does it set out to achieve? (strategic outcomes)

• Protect consumers by minimising risks from residues in food

• Protect users and workers by minimising exposure

• Protect residents and bystanders

• Reduce water pollution

• Reduce impact on biodiversity

• Establish ‘best practise’ in the amenity sector

• Minimise risk to users and environment from amateur use

• Maintain availability of products particularly for minor use

• Encourage the introduction of cost-effective alternative approaches and greater use of IPM

How does it do this?

• Working together is a key theme

• users and government both have obligations

• Use of both statutory and voluntary measures

• Targeted Action Plan groups

The Action Plans• Human Health

This plan aims to maintain and develop high levels of human health protection. It is made up of three components dealing with the protection of consumers, operators/other workers and residents/bystanders.

• Water This Action Plan aims to reduce water pollution caused by plant protection products to the standards required by the EC Water Framework Directive (WFD) and develop a package of measures in anticipation of the potential requirements of the EC Directive on the Sustainable Use of Pesticides.

• Biodiversity

The aim of this Action Plan is to halt the loss of biodiversity caused by plant protection products and develop a package of measures to ensure compliance with the EC Directive on the

Sustainable Use of Pesticides.

The Action Plans• Amenity

This Action Plan aims to establish ‘best practice’ in the use of plant protection products in the amenity sector and develop a package of measures to ensure compliance with the EC

Directive on the Sustainable Use of Pesticides.

• Amateur This Action Plan aims to establish ‘best practice’ in the use of plant protection products in the amateur sector and develop a package of measures to ensure compliance with the EC Directive on the Sustainable Use of Pesticides.

• Product Availability The Action Plan includes initiatives to help maintain sufficient availability (of plant protection products) for the production of minor crops in the UK.

The Action Plans

Membership:

Dependant on the group there can be either a diverse range of members or a rather more limited membership often biased towards industry.

Availability Plan members:

National Farmers Union

Horticultural Development Council

British Crop Protection Council

Agricultural Industries Confederation

Home-Grown Cereals Authority

Crop Protection Association

Forestry Commission

Scottish Government

Welsh Assembly Government

International Bio control Manufacturers Association

Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland

Tesco UK

PSD

Human Health Plan members:

Advisory Committee on Pesticides

Agricultural Industries Confederation

British Crop Protection Council

Crop Protection Association

Commission for Rural Communities

Department for Health

Food Standards Agency

Health and Safety Executive

National Farmers Union

Pesticides Action Network UK

Pesticide Residues Committee

Scottish Executive

SUSTAIN

Unite

Women's Food and Farming Union

PSD

The Action Plans

What they do?

• Meet to discuss key aims identified in the strategy

• Call on experts

• Report to the Pesticides Forum

• The Forum provides a mechanism for exchanging ideas and for encouraging joint initiatives to address particular issues. It also provides advice to Government

on pesticide usage matters.

The Action Plans

Progress of the Action Plans is reported on the Pesticide Safety Directorate website:

http://www.pesticides.gov.uk/environment.asp?id=1833