4th May 2010
What is a pesticide?
Pesticides are chemicals that are used to control pests. The chemicals are designed to target a particular group of pest (for example, insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, rodenticides). Pesticides are commonly associated with farming, however, they are also used by members of the public in their homes and gardens, by local authorities in parks and greens and by private companies.
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| Wildlife rich farmland © Roger Key |
How do pesticides affect the environment?
Although pesticides do kill unwanted pests, they can also harm people, wildlife and the environment. As a result all types of pesticides are tested before they are approved for use and sale. Despite these controls we believe that there is still excessive and unnecessary use of pesticides in the UK, which may contribute to declines in wildlife and impact on human health.
What is the directive on the sustainable use of pesticides?
Although there are already some existing voluntary schemes and legislation in the UK controlling the use of pesticides, Buglife thinks that this control needs to be improved to reduce the current risks to the environment and human health.
The proposed Directive on Sustainable use of Pesticides requires European countries to have high standards on the storage, use and disposal of pesticides for the first time. This will cover all stages of a pesticides ‘life-cycle’ from its initial authorisation through to disposal of containers, and residues present in the environment and on food.
The UK government is currently consulting on new policies that will shape the way pesticides are approved and used in the UK. Changes include a new strategy on pesticides which aims to minimise the risks of pesticides by increasing protection through improved approval standards. Another component of these changes is the Sustainable Use Directive, this Directive will establish a range of new legislation and voluntary schemes to allow ‘best practice’ so that pesticides can be stored, used and disposed of safely.
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| Field of oilseed rape © Roger Key |
Key features the UK is required to do include:
- Establish national action plans.
- Ensure all application equipment is tested within 5 years.
- Establish a system for the training and certification of spray operators, distributors and advisors within 2 years.
- Control aerial spraying.
- Protect the aquatic environment.
- Minimise pesticide use in public spaces and special conservation areas.
- Minimise the risk of pollution through safe handling, storage and disposal of pesticides.
- Promote greater use of Integrated Pest Management (IPM).
- Monitor progress through indicators.
How can you help?
The Government is currently consulting on how the Sustainable Use Directive will be implemented in the UK. By responding to this consultation you can ensure that the Directive is implemented properly with reduced risks to UK wildlife.
Environmental organisations such as Buglife, ChemTrust, PAN UK, Plantlife and the RSPB have been working together to ensure that the impacts of pesticides on wildlife is minimal. The Environmental organisations have written a joint response to the Directive consultation. You can view a summary of their response by clicking here.
If you would like to see the complete consultation document from DEFRA click here
| We are asking you to help ensure the damaging impacts of pesticides on wildlife are reduced by copying or using the information to submit a response before 4th May. |
How to submit your response
Click here to download a copy of the environmental organisations joint response which we are asking you to copy and send to DEFRA or to the Chemical Regulations Directorate.
Please fill in a simple online form with your response on the DEFRA website by clicking here
Alternatively, you can email your response to Caroline Kennedy by sending an email to ConsultationCoordinator@hse.gsi.gov.uk
