Farmers and Growers
We issue guidance for farmers and growers (including forestry) on all aspects of the use of pesticides.
- Advice on Using and Storing Pesticides;
- Monitoring and Enforcement Issues;
- Information on Pest, Disease and Weed Incidence and Resistance;
- Future Developments for Pesticide Controls
Advice on Using and Storing Pesticides
Information on Pesticide Product Approvals
Our searchable databases can help you to find information you want on each pesticide product (these links will take you to the PSD Databases area):
- Approved pesticide products
- Specific Off Label Approval (SOLA)
- Adjuvants
- Agricultural Commodity substances
Parallel Imports
Farmers and Growers can import pesticides for their own use in this country. We provide information and guidance on the Parallel Imports of Pesticides.
Parallel Imports of Pesticides for 'Own-Use'
The Long Term Arrangements for Extensions of Use (LTAEU)
The LTAEU were introduced as a temporary measure in the late 1980s to allow pesticides to be used on listed minor crops. Since that time UK pesticide approvals have gradually been transferring to EU based legislation, where specific approvals are required for all uses.
The exercise to replace the LTAEU for use on edible crops by converting uses to Specific Off-Label Approvals (SOLA), has now been completed. The LTAEU for use on edible crops expired on the 31 December 2006. Further details are available through the link below :
The LTAEU guidelines have been amended to take into account the conversion of arrangements for edible crops to Specific Off-Label Approvals (SOLA).
We are now starting to look at the non-edible uses in the arrangements with a view to replacing them as well. Please see further details through the link to the Regulatory Updates below.:
- Replacement of the Long Term Long Term Arrangements for Extension of Use (LTAEU) for Non-Edible Crops - Regulatory Update 01/2008
- Replacement of the Long Term Arrangements for Extension of Use (LTAEU) for non-edible crops - Regulatory Update 26/2006
Minor Uses
A large number of crops grown in the UK can be classed as minor uses. PSD works to safeguard the production of minor use crops by improving the availability of pesticides.
Codes of Practice
We issue guidance on good practice in the use of pesticides. This is published in various codes of practice:
- Code of Practice for Using Plant Protection Products.This Code of Practice is for all professional users of plant protection products in England and Wales in respect of Part III of the Food and Environment Protection Act 1985 (FEPA) and the regulations controlling pesticides, particularly plant protection products, under that part of the Act.
This Code replaces three previous codes of practice, including The Code of Practice for the Safe Use of Pesticides on Farms and Small Holdings ("the Green Code").
- Code of Practice for Suppliers of Pesticides to Agriculture, Horticulture and Forestry (Yellow Code) (60 pages, 256kb). This Code provides guidance for those involved commercially in the sale, supply and storage for sale of pesticides approved for agricultural use.
Training
Anyone who uses a professional pesticide product in the course of their business or employment may not use that pesticide or give instruction to others on their use unless they have received adequate instruction, training and guidance.
Further information about Training
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. More Information from this link .
Organic Farming
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.
Further Published Guidance Documents
Local Environmental Risk Assessments for Pesticides (LERAP)
You may be able to reduce the label buffer zone, for the protection of water, on certain pesticide products. This may be achieved by carrying out a Local Environment Risk Assessment for Pesticides (LERAP).
There are two schemes which are fully described in two booklets. You can download them from our website (from link above).
Guidance on the Use of Sulphuric Acid
The use of sulphuric acid on potatoes is regulated by the Pesticides Safety Directorate (PSD). We have prepared some guidance to explain best practice in the use of this chemical. The guidance includes a link to a document on best practice in the use of sulphuric acid published by the National Association of Agricultural Contractors.
Use of Sulphuric Acid on Potato
Regulatory and Information Updates
Regulatory Updates provide information on changes to legal requirements for Approval Holders, application procedures and the approvals process and inclusion of products on the Official List of adjuvants. Information Updates are issued for items which may be of interest such as training courses, workshops and seminars.
Other Sources of Information
The Pesticides Forum
Established in 1996, the Pesticides Forum brings together a range of organisations with an interest in the use of pesticides and their impact on the environment. The Forum's remit is to support Government policy on responsible use, which aims for the reduction of impacts on the environment, whilst providing adequate protection for crops.
Resident and Bystander Exposure to Pesticides - The Good Neighbour Initiative
As part of the Government’s response to the Royal Commission’s study on pesticides, Ministers asked the National Farmers Union (NFU) to collaborate with industry partners and interested stakeholders to draw up a ‘good neighbour’ guide to advise and assist farmers and crop sprayers using pesticides in populated areas.
More information on Resident and Bystander Exposure and the Good Neighbour Initiative
Monitoring and Enforcement Issues
We have a rigorous system of monitoring in place to ensure that the strict controls over pesticides are adhered to.
- Pesticides Usage Survey
- The Wildlife Incident Investigation Scheme
- Measuring and Monitoring Residues in Foodstuffs
- Enforcement
- Avoiding Pesticide Residue problems (14 pages, 217 kb). This document provides practical advice on minimisation of pesticide residues in winter lettuce.
Information on Pest, Disease and Weed Incidence and Resistance
Pesticide Resistance
PSD is working with other groups to consider how to tackle the resistance of pests to pesticides.
Pest, Disease and Weed Incidence Information
PSD has funded the production of reports from ADAS on the incidence of pests, weeds and diseases in a broad range of cropping situations.
Future Developments for Pesticide Controls
The European Community Review Process
The European Community (EC) is reviewing existing pesticides. We provide up to date information on the EC process and its implications for Farmers and Growers.
- EC Review Programme
- Withdrawal of pesticide products as a result of the EC review programme 2003
- Essential Uses
Pesticide Strategies
- Work to develop the EU Thematic Strategy for Pesticides is now underway.
- Work on a UK strategy is well developed. In March 2006, following consultation with our stakeholders we published ‘Pesticides and the Environment: A Strategy for the Sustainable Use of Plant Protection Products’.
