Source · Select Committees · Science, Innovation and Technology Committee
Recommendation 30
30
Acknowledged
Paragraph: 176
Outline incorporation of terrestrial monitoring proposals and increase pesticide usage survey respondents.
Recommendation
The Government should outline how the ‘Proposals for Terrestrial Environmental Monitoring of Plant Protectant Products’ will be incorporated into the National Action Plan for Sustainable Pesticide Use. Furthermore, the Government should consider how it could use its powers to increase respondents to the Fera’s pesticide usage survey.
Government Response Summary
Defra states it already supports recommendations from the 'Proposals for Terrestrial Environmental Monitoring' report and is working with the regulator to identify improvements for the Pesticide Usage Survey, but does not explicitly outline how the proposals will be incorporated into the National Action Plan.
Paragraph Reference:
176
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
Defra is funding projects to monitor and understand the effects of pesticides on wildlife in order to meet our commitments under the Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP). These include projects looking at potential indicators of the effects of pesticides on insects and birds, and potential methods to better understand the ways in which pesticides may impact wildlife. Defra already supports a number of recommendations made within the report ‘Proposals for Terrestrial Environmental Monitoring of Plant Protectant Products’ commissioned by Natural England. For example, Defra fund the analysis of honey samples collected through UK CEH’s National Honey Monitoring Scheme aimed at assessing levels of pesticides in honey across England. This provides an estimated level of honey bee exposure to pesticides and explores the potential risk of this exposure. We will continue to support the monitoring of pesticides in both the terrestrial and aquatic environments, for example through funding and active engagement with the H4 indicator programme. The H4 indicator is one of a suite of indicators within the Outcome Indicator Framework (OIF) of the EIP and is specifically focused on understanding and tracking the exposure and adverse effects of chemicals on wildlife in the environment. The Pesticide Usage Survey (PUS) is accredited as a national statistic. The surveys are carefully planned to ensure data acquired is representative and can be reliably scaled up to regional and national estimates. The government are working with the regulator to identify any improvements that could be made to the surveys. All users of professional pesticide products are required to keep records of their pesticide usage that are subject to inspection. In addition, the Official Controls (Plant Protection Products) Regulations 2020 enable Defra and the Governments in Scotland and Wales to take a proactive approach to understanding how pesticides are being sold and used, and to support businesses and organisations to comply with existing pesticides legislation. The 2020 Regulations create a registration requirement for businesses across the supply chain, from manufacturers of pesticides to professional users, to retailers.