On 16 February 2005, the Pesticides Safety Directorate (PSD) launched a public consultation exercise, seeking comments on a draft national strategy for the sustainable use of plant protection products.
The publication of this strategy is long-awaited. In 2002 the Sixth Environmental Action Programme of the European Commission proposed that Member States develop national strategies to reduce hazards and risks from pesticide use and reduce dependency on chemical control. The UK’s national strategy was first expected in 2003 (PN 59, ‘UK progress towards a pesticide reduction plan’). It was listed as a key target in PSD’s workplan for 2003/4 and their Annual Report for that year indicated this target had been achieved. However, the draft strategy remained unpublished until now.
In 2003 PAN UK published a proposed National Strategy (PN 61, Strategy for Pesticide Use Reduction in the UK). This contained a range of measures many of which have now appeared as options in the draft document. PAN
UK welcomes their inclusion and will be supporting them in response to the consultation. However, some of PAN
UK’s proposals are absent, most notably those relating to the impacts of pesticide use on human health. Since the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution is unlikely to publish its findings on bystander exposure to pesticides much before the close of the National Strategy consultation, there is a danger that public health aspects of pesticide use will be overlooked.
The strategy document consists of four parts: parts 1 and 2 cover the background, setting the context, and outlining some of the drivers for change. Parts 3 and 4 are the crux of the strategy and include five action plans to benefit the environment and the interests of pesticides users, covering Water, Biodiversity, Plant Protection Products Availability, Amenity Sector and Amateur Use Plan, and Targeted Use Reduction.
At this stage, the document does not make many specific proposals. There are, however, relatively comprehensive lists of options on which consultees are invited to comment. These include potential targets and indicators, suggestions for establishing better links between all stakeholders and possible new measures, such as changes to the regulatory system, voluntary approaches, fiscal measures, targeting high-risk active substances and encouraging non-chemical alternatives.
The consultation closes on 30 June 2005 and PAN UK encourages everyone with an interest in pesticides to contribute. Details of the consultation and the strategy document can be found on PSD’s website at
www.pesticides.gov.uk and PAN UK’s response will be made available through the PAN website in advance of the deadline.
(CBE)
www.pesticides.gov.uk/environment.asp?id=1539
[This article first appeared in Pesticides News No. 67, March 2005, page 17]