The UK governments have announced the launch of a consultation on the draft UK National Action Plan for the Sustainable Use of Pesticides (NAP).
We welcome the launch of this consultation on the NAP for sustainable use of pesticides.
Plant health strategy
The focus on Integrated Pest Management (IPM) aligns with the NFU and NFU Cymru’s own plant health strategy, which puts Integrated Pest Management at the heart of all crop protection activity.
Industry is committed to continue to demonstrate its responsible approach to chemical pesticide use.
Welsh farmers and growers continue to work to reduce the risks and impacts of pesticide use and to develop this National Action Plan.
Biocontrols
The previous NAP has been successful in reducing risk through greater training of spray operators and equipment testing.
Increasing the role of biocontrols, beneficials and plant breeding will be essential in providing future plant health solutions, alongside developing broader IPM uptake and optimising pesticide use.
Pesticides will however still be important for agriculture and their safe use will be key going forward.
Members can read a four page summary of the NAP Consultation here.
The consultation closes on 26 February 2021 and we would welcome views to feed into our response by 15 February 2021. You are of course welcome also to send in your responses directly.