Source · Select Committees · Science, Innovation and Technology Committee
Recommendation 31
31
Acknowledged
Paragraph: 184
Amenity and amateur pesticide use harms insects without benefitting UK food production.
Conclusion
Pesticide use by amenity and amateur sectors in urban and suburban areas does not benefit UK food production and can have adverse effects on many insect species.
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the issues with pesticide use in amenity and amateur sectors, noting it is for local authorities to decide on weed control, and states it is commissioning research into integrated pest management for amenity use and considering options to improve data collection for both sectors.
Paragraph Reference:
184
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
It is for each local authority to decide the best way of delivering effective and cost-effective weed control in its operations without harming people or the environment. There is a legal requirement to minimise the use of pesticides along roads and in areas used by the public. We want to work with a wide range of stakeholders in all sectors, including amenity and amateur to encourage uptake of integrated pest management (IPM) approaches to minimise risks that pesticides can pose. For amenity use, we have commissioned a research project to better understand the availability and quality of evidence and guidance within the amenity sector on integrated pest management. This includes the targeted use of pesticides and alternative pest management methods. For amateur use, we recognise the good work already being done by organisations such as the Royal Horticultural Society with their ‘Guide to controlling pests and diseases without chemicals’ who are part of Defra’s Pollinator Action Steering Group (PASG). While we have significant data on pesticides usage in agriculture, we recognise that in both amateur and amenity, data collection and publication could be significantly improved. We are considering options for improving this data and will want to work closely with stakeholders, as we do this.