Supplementary Memorandum by the Department
of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (B10 21(b))
SITUATION ON PESTICIDES AND PROPOSED TAX
(REVISED DRAFT)
The Government has accepted that there is increasing
evidence of significant environmental impacts associated with
the use of pesticides and remains committed to a minimisation
policy which is aimed at addresssing the adverse effects while
ensuring adequate crop protection. A stakeholder body, the Pesticides
Forum, established in 1996, plays a significant part in this process
and the Government has recognised that the agrochemical and farming
industries have made progress in adopting measures which seek
to minimise pesticide usage. The review of older pesticides and
the introduction of new products with more acceptable environmental
profiles also contribute strongly to ensuring that standards improve
with time.
Nevertheless, there is scope for further action
and a considerable amount of research has been directed at identifying
additional measures. The most recent work in this area—on
the design of a tax or charge scheme for pesticides—was
completed last year by ECOTEC and put out to consultation. The
Government carefully considered the many detailed responses and
concluded that tax could, in conjunction with other measures,
be a useful tool in addressing the environmental impacts of pesticides.
However, while a tax on the use of pesticides has not been ruled
out, the Government has decided to explore with the agrochemical
industry whether its objectives could also be achieved through
a partnership approach.
The Crop Protection Association (formerly known
as the British Agrochemicals Association) were invited to submit
a formal package of measures for minimising the environmental
impact of pesticides through voluntary action. Their proposals,
entitled "A partnership approach to minimising the environmental
impact of crop protection chemicals", were published on 20
April. DETR sent copies of this document to over 300 organisations
and individuals with an interest in pesticide minimisation with
an invitation to send comments by 14 July. Views are being sought
in particular on the extent to which the package might deliver
real environmental benefits such as improvements in biodiversity
and on its practicality, timeliness and cost effectiveness. Progress
will be considered in the autumn 2000 Pre-Budget Report.
July 2000
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