Launch of Grower Champion
Background
Over recent years the pesticides approved for use on minor crops have come under increasing pressure. Along with this there has been a requirement of growers and farmers to diversify away from traditional crops and find new markets, so creating the need to find pesticide solutions for new novel crops.
The EC review programme under 91/414/EEC has reduced the number of pesticide products and uses available, with this being felt most acutely by growers of minor crops. Alongside this, it is acknowledged that in some cases the regulatory costs for pesticide approvals may be considered prohibitive for pesticide manufacturers to support minor and novel crops as label recommendations.
To help counter this, PSD has had in place a system for gaining minor use approvals (Specific Off-Label Approvals (SOLAs)), which has been used successfully to fill pesticide gaps, for many years.
To further help and assist growers and their organisations in finding pesticide solutions and to keep them up-to-date with pesticide issues, PSD has appointed Francis Daly as a contact point within PSD: a Grower’s Champion.
Role of the Grower Champion
The role of the Grower Champion is to be a specific contact point within PSD for all grower related issues, from helping to explain regulatory issues to helping with submission and evaluation of minor use approvals. The Grower Champion is available to help growers or any individual within the agricultural/horticultural/forestry/amenity industries wishing to find a solution to a pesticide problem or find out more information on UK and EC pesticides regulation and its impact on minor uses.
Contact Information
If you wish to discuss minor use issues, want advice on how to submit an application or would like me to meet you and your organisation to discuss minor use and off-label issues, please contact me on 01904 455824 or via e-mail at: francis.daly@hse.gsi.gov.uk
New contact as PSD’s Small Business Champion
The Small Business Champion role in PSD has been established for several years, offering a specialised service to small businesses that often have specific needs when making applications to PSD in the complex and ever-changing area of pesticide regulation. This was announced in All Approval Holders Letter 22/2002 dated 11 September 2002. This role has recently been taken over by Ruth Waite. The remit of the role continues to be customer driven, and Ruth will offer a range of services to small businesses, from individual one-to-one advice and introductory presentations to specific advice regarding regulatory submissions; dependent upon requirements.
Contact Information
If you are a small business and have any queries relating to the regulatory process, please contact Ruth by telephone on 01904 455902, by e-mail to ruth.waite@hse.gsi.gov.uk or by writing to Dr Ruth Waite at PSD, Mallard House, Kings Pool, 3 Peasholme Green, York, YO1 7PX, UK.
Information Update
Issued: 05/2006
Date: 20 July 2006
