Source · Select Committees · Science, Innovation and Technology Committee
Recommendation 27
27
Acknowledged
Paragraph: 173
Government's six-year delay in publishing National Action Plan for Sustainable Pesticide Use is unacceptable.
Conclusion
The UK has made international commitments to reducing the overall risk caused by pesticides by at least half by 2030. Whilst we acknowledge that updating the National Action Plan for Sustainable Pesticide Use, the UK implementation plan to achieve these commitments, is a substantial task for the Government, this does not excuse the six-year delay in the publication of this crucial policy.
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the complexity and delay in publishing the National Action Plan for Sustainable Pesticide Use, but states they are working on it and have not waited to implement other measures, such as paid IPM actions within the SFI scheme and funding for pest management research.
Paragraph Reference:
173
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
Government are working on publishing the National Action Plan. The work is wide ranging and complex, reflected in the number of responses we received following consultation in 2021 (over 38,500). We have therefore needed time to get our policies right, to ensure that we deliver on our ambitions. However, we have not waited for the publication of the NAP to move forward with work supporting sustainable pest management. Farmers can now sign up for four paid Integrated Pest Management (IPM) actions within the Sustainable Farming Incentives (SFI) scheme. Three paid actions on precision application of herbicides will also be available later this year. We are also supporting research into pest management and IPM, including through the £270 million Farming Innovation Programme. This work will help farmers access the most effective pest management tools available and ensure that we understand changing trends in pest threats across the UK.