Q1. How do I find out if a pesticide is approved for use in the UK?
Q2. Is my pesticide still approved?
Q3. How can I check whether I can use a particular pesticide on a particular crop?
Q4. I have a problem with a particular pest/weed. What can I use to control it?
Q5. What are 'off-label' approvals?
Q6. If a pesticide is not approved in the UK can it be used here?
Q7. What is the difference between a 'withdrawn pesticide' and a 'banned pesticide'?
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. How do I find out if a pesticide is approved for use in the UK?
You can search our database of approved pesticide products. The easiest way is to type in the 'MAPP Number' which is given on the pesticide label. Otherwise you can use the product name. If the pesticide is approved, the database will show you details including the expiry date.
Q2. Is my pesticide still approved?
You can find the expiry date (use-by date)for a pesticide on our database of approved pesticide products. The quickest way is to type in the 'MAPP Number' which is given on the pesticide label. Otherwise you can use the product name.
You cannot use the pesticide after the expiry date. In some cases the approval for using the pesticide on a particular crop or situation may end before the expiry date for the pesticide. If you wish to check whether this is the case, please see question 3 or contact us.
Q3. How do I check whether I can use a particular pesticide on a particular crop?
You will need to:
- search our database of approved pesticide products to find the pesticide;
- look at the 'notice of approval' for that pesticide which will show the crops or situations where the product can be used;
- if the 'notice of approval' does not cover the crops you wish to treat you can also check whether there are any'off-label' approvals. These are approved uses which are not given on pesticide labels. They are only available for agricultural (professional) pesticides. There are two types:
Q4. I have a problem with a particular pest/weed. What can I use to control it?
Our database does not give details of the problems that each pesticide controls. You can get this information from your pesticides supplier, DIY shop or gardening centre.
Q5. What are 'off-labels' approvals?
Off label approvals are uses of pesticides which are not listed on the product label. They only apply to agricultural uses of pesticides and the user must accept any commercial risk from their use.
There are two types.
i) The Long Term Arrangements for Extension of Use (LTAEUs)
The recommendations on the labels of approved pesticides may not include every problem which you wish to control. For example they may not cover:
- Crops which are grown on a small scale in the UK (known as 'minor crops'); or
- occasional outbreaks of pests and diseases.
We have made special arrangements to allow pesticides already approved for use on one crop, to be used on similar crops without having to get another full approval. These arrangements are called the Long Term Arrangements for Extensions of Use (LTAEUs). Link to further Information on LTAEU - you must read and follow this guidance in order to use these arrangements.
ii) Specific Off-Label Approvals (SOLA).
If LTAEUs do not cover aparticular use of a pesticide then growers may apply to CRD for a Specific Off-Label Approval (SOLA). One example might be where growers need a SOLA to control a pest which has started attacking a new range of crops.
A SOLA is the approval of a pesticide on crops or situations which are not on its original approval. These extra uses are not listed on the product label; they are given on the SOLA notice, together with any extra conditions of use.
You must obtain a copy of the SOLA notice before you use the product for one of these uses. You must follow any extra conditions of use as well as those given on the product label. You can find a list of SOLAs on our database: you can search by product name, crop and pests.
Q6. If a pesticide is not approved in the UK can it be used here?
No, if a pesticide is not approved for use in the UK, it is illegal to use that pesticide here.
There are three reasons why a pesticide may not be approved in the UK.
- No one has applied for approval for the pesticide in this country.
- The marketing company has withdrawn the pesticide from the market for commercial reasons.
- The 'active substance' (the chemical which makes it work) in the pesticide is banned from being used in pesticides sold in the UK. There is a list of these banned active substances on our website.
Q7. What is the difference between a 'withdrawn pesticide' and a 'banned pesticide'?
Withdrawn Pesticides
A company may withdraw their pesticide from the market because:
- there are commercial reasons such as declining sales
- the pesticide is being reviewed and they do not want to pay for extra scientific studies to show it meets up-to-date safety standards.
It is possible that they may put the pesticide back on the market in the future, if demand improves or if they pay for the studies.
Further information on withdrawal of pesticides as a result of the EC Review Programme
Banned Pesticides
Occasionally a pesticide is 'banned' because:
- new evidence shows that the 'active substance' (chemical which makes it work) may be harmful to humans, animals or the environment. CRD would 'revoke' (take away) the approvals for the pesticides making it illegal to sell or use them in the UK.
There is a list of banned active substances on our website
