UFU welcomes long-awaited UK Pesticide National Action Plan

Tractor plowing fields -preparing land for sowing

Commodity watch by UFU senior policy officer Patricia Erwin 

The National Action Plan (NAP) is framed against statutory obligations in pesticide regulation and was revised in partnership between the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), the Scottish Government, the Welsh Government, and the Northern Ireland Executive.

The NAP applies to the entire UK. It specifically relates to plant protection products (PPP), these are pesticides used to protect plants and plant products from pests, disease and weeds. It does not cover ‘biocides’ like wood preservatives or disinfectants, or veterinary medicines such as sheep dip, as they fall under separate policies and regulatory requirements.

The NAP sets out a series of 18 actions across three core objectives to:

• Encourage uptake of IPM (Integrated Pest Management) and alternative approaches or techniques to reduce dependency on the use of PPP.
• Set clear targets and measures to monitor use of pesticides. Establishing timetables and targets for the reduction of the risks and impacts of pesticide use, including monitoring and setting targets for the reduction of use of pesticides containing active substances of particular concern.
• Strengthen compliance to ensure safety and better environmental outcomes. Ensuring storage, handling, cleaning and disposal operations do not endanger human health or the environment through effective inspection, enforcement and other official control activities.

It is unclear in the NAP how DEFRA/DAERA plan to communicate and support the necessary uptake of IPM on farm.

While the NAP gives a nod to the importance of pesticides use in food and crop production, UFU deputy president Glenn Cuddy said he was surprised at the lack of detail in the document ensuring our farmers and growers will have access to all the crop solution tools they need to produce food now and in the future. The UFU actively promote best practice with representation on the Water Catchment Partnership, are directors of the Voluntary Initiative and roll out operator road shows in partnership with CAFRE across the province ensuring users of PPP are trained, the equipment is tested and CPD points are made available for operators at local events. It is the view of the UFU that the UK are already highly regulated for both approval of actives and use.

The UFU recognise the big challenge will be meeting environmental targets whilst having the ability to produce affordable, local food and feed. The NAP lacks clarity on how this balance will be achieved.

NAP will introduce the first domestic reduction target for pesticides in the UK. This we understand is based on potential environmental pressures rather than solely weight or volume applied. The NAP recognises that the domestic target will contribute to the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework target seven agreed at COP15. The UFU with the other farming unions hold concern about this measure, mindful that the EU scrapped its proposed Sustainable Use Regulation and 50% pesticide reduction target. The farming unions are seeking a commitment from government that the NAP will not impact the competitiveness of UK farms. The UFU will continue to analyse the details within the NAP and consult with DAERA to seek clarity on delivery.

The UFU welcome the indication that government intends to supplement the NAP with further detail that will outline their shared emerging priorities and provide a more comprehensive framework for achieving the vision for pesticides going forward.

Further information on the UK Pesticide NAP can be found by using by clicking here.

Date for your diary:  Water Catchment Partnership will be attending the NSA Sheep NI 2025 event on Tuesday 1 July 2025.  Watch press for details.