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Reducing Environmental Impact

Although plant protection products have many benefits, their use can carry a residual risk to the environment. The Government has a longstanding policy of minimisation of the use of pesticides – encouraging farmers and others to use pesticides in ways that will have least negative impact.

Pesticides Strategies

A wide range of environmental legislation, policies and initiatives, influence, or are influenced by, the use plant protection products. In 2002 the EU adopted the Sixth Community Environment Action Programme.

The programme aims to deliver environmental protection through the promotion of sustainable development. It also includes plans to create a Thematic Strategy for Pesticides.

• Work to develop the EU Thematic Strategy for Pesticides is now underway.
• The UK has a well developed pesticides strategy. Following a second consultation with stakeholders PSD published an updated strategy in May 2008 'UK pesticides Strategy: A Strategy for the Sustainable Use of Plant Protection Products' 

The Strategy provides a framework for plant protection product legislation, policies and initiatives contribute to goals promoting sustainable development. It will do this by helping to protect the countryside and natural resources, supporting sustainable food and farming and sustainable consumption and production. It will help minimise the adverse environmental impacts of using plant protection products.

Associated Strategies and Schemes

• PSD supports the sustainable use of pesticides as part of Defra’s Sustainable Farming and Food Strategy.
• PSD are also closely involved in work on the Water Framework Directive, Catchment Sensitive Farming Initiative and the UK Biodiversity Action Plan.
• The Pesticides Forum advises the Government and industry on ways to encourage responsible handling and use.
• We have launched a Biopesticides Scheme and assigned a biopesticide champion. The scheme helps with applications for alternative control products throught the approvals process.

Information and Advice

• PSD gives advice, including a detailed Code of Practice (pdf, 169 pages) on the use and disposal of plant protection products, including steps to Minimise Use.
• The Campaign Against Illegal Poisoning advises those involved in pest control to avoid practices which may lead to poisoning of pets or wildlife.
• Organic farmers need to take care to follow pesticide legislation, as well as organic rules when choosing substances to protect crops from pest or diseases.
• We provide advice on Integrated Farm Management (IFM) IFM involves combining traditional and modern farming practices with measures which protect the environment. These measures include careful targeting of pesticide applications.

Monitoring and Research

• The Wildlife Incident Investigation Scheme investigates the death or poisoning of wildlife, beneficial insects and some pets where there is evidence that pesticides may be involved.
• The Pesticides Usage Survey collects information on the use of pesticides in agriculture, horticulture and food storage.
• Our Research and Development programme includes work on finding alternative crop protection methods and on transferring knowledge to farmers and growers.
• In terms of water monitoring, we liaise with the Environment Agency, the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland, by working closely with them in evolving environmental policy to enhance water quality.