Action plan for pesticides questioned following SFI closure

They also called into question Defra’s commitment to proactively support Integrated Pest Management (IPM) uptake without further impacting the competitiveness of farmers, with the EU having scrapped its proposed Sustainable Use Regulation and 50% pesticide reduction target. 

The long-overdue UK Pesticides National Action Plan focuses on increasing Integrated Pest Management (IPM), which has been welcomed by the NFU, alongside compliance and a new target to reduce risk measures.  

But given the keyway for government to support uptake of IPM is through the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), which was closed suddenly last week, farmers have been left scratching their heads about the continued lack of joined up policy-making and the potential impact this has on the progress made to date. 

There is also little mention of farming’s achievements to date and the sector’s continuing work in reducing the potential risks associated with pesticide use. 

READ MORE: Farmers ‘betrayed again’ as Defra stops SFI applications

READ MORE: Industry calls for interim farm support scheme following SFI chaos

‘Lack of detail and commitment’

NFU deputy president David Exwood said that he was surprised over the lack of detail and commitment to ensure farmers and growers will have the crop solutions they need to produce food now and in the future. 

He added: “The UK currently has some of the most stringent pesticide regulations in the world, which control any potential impact or risks from their use. 

“UK farming is committed to demonstrating that it is continuing to take a responsible approach to using plant protection products, and it would have been good to see the NAP mark the progress we’ve made.” 

Mr Exwood explained that the previous NAP has successfully increased training of spray operators, equipment testing and stewardship initiatives.  

What is more, last year more than 6,000 Voluntary Initiative IPM Plans were completed on farms across the country.  

“The focus on IPM also aligns with the NFU’s own plant health strategy, which puts IPM at the heart of all crop protection activity. 

“While the government rightly focuses on public health and the environment, it’s critically important this is balanced with the need to grow affordable British food and increase productivity.  

“For this, farmers and growers need continued support for IPM uptake and access to more effective tools to protect crops from pests, weeds and disease and to ensure they can run thriving, profitable businesses. The NAP has come up short on the detail of how it will support this balance.

“We will be working through the full details of the new NAP and working with government to ensure this new plan protects public health and the environment, while also helping to drive sustainable climate-friendly food production in the UK,” he concluded.   

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