This biennial survey of UK pesticide usage from autumn 1997 to harvest 1998 is based on data from over 1000 holdings representing 4% of the area of arable crops grown. There has been an overall increase in the area of arable farm crops including set-aside – by of 2% since 1996 – and the treated area of all arable crops increased by 12%, while the weight of pesticide applied decreased by 1%. This reflects the trend towards reduced application rates particularly of fungicides and herbicides, and the use of newer products active at lower rates of application.
Fungicides accounted for 35% of the total pesticide treated area of arable farm crops; herbicides and dessicants 33%; and insecticides and nematicides 10%. The most extensively used fungicides were epiconazole (used on wheat and winter barley) and chlorothalonil (wheat, peas, beans and potatoes). The most extensively used herbicides, all used principally on cereals, were isoproturon, diflufenican/isoproturon, glyphosate and metsulfuron-methyl. The pyrethroid group were the most extensively used insecticides, followed by organophosphates and carbamates. This is the best guide in the public domain to what farmers use.
Arable Farm Crops in Great Britain 1998. Pesticide Usage Survey Report 159.
MAFF Publications York PB 4808. 97 pp www.csl.gov.uk/environment/level3/pusg.htm
[This article first appeared in Pesticides News No. 47, March 2000, page 23]