Farming with fewer pesticides: EU pesticide review and resulting challenges for UK agriculture

EU policy is directed towards significant reductions in pesticide use in the short to medium term. Current European Commission [EC] Directives on pesticide registration and usage, has resulted in the loss from the UK market of some important crop protection products. The continuing review process could result in the removal from sale of many more pesticides commonly used in UK farming. Under Directive 2009/128, the Sustainable Use Directive, National Action Plans for reductions in pesticide use and the implementation of IPM on all farms in member states, will be reviewed by the EC at the end of 2014. As new legislation is introduced and the basis on which pesticides would be removed from use is still undecided, it is difficult for the farming industry to have a clear perspective on which pesticides are at risk and what strategy they need to adopt to comply with current legislation and to design their future pest management plans. Britain and other EU States are faced with having to produce more food profitably and sustainably, using fewer pesticides, while trying to avoid steep price increases. The British Government has adopted a largely voluntary approach to pesticide reduction and implementation of IPM. The future for British agriculture will be a challenging one, relying on fewer active ingredients, with the consequent greater risk of pesticide resistance in the target pests. Farmers will require deeper understanding of IPM and access to information and technical support, if food production is to be sustained at current levels. This review summarises the EU Pesticide legislation, describes its potential impact on pest management and, how UK farming industry is responding to the challenge of farming with fewer pesticides.

► EU legislation on pesticide approval and use has led to removal from market of many common pesticides. ► Loss of many pesticides used in UK agriculture is expected to lead to increased costs of production, decreased yields and increased risk of pesticide resistance in target pest populations. ► An EU Directive require that all crop protection activity in Member States must be conducted using a system of Integrated Pest Management. ► Compliance will require more investment than at present, in IPM research and development.