The British government has announced the launch of the UK Pesticides National Action Plan, which will work ‘collaboratively with farmers to minimise the impacts of pesticides on people and the environment’.
At the core of the plan is a target to reduce the potential environmental harm from pesticides by 10% in the UK by 2030, as well as set out guidelines for more sustainable pesticide use.
The UK Pesticides National Action Plan will aim to support farmers, growers, and other land managers in voluntarily increasing their use of nature friendly farming techniques and embracing alternatives to pesticides, the government said in a statement.
‘Restoring our natural world’
“The government is restoring our natural world as part of our commitment to protect the environment while supporting productivity and economic growth,” commented Emma Hardy, UK environment minister. “That is why we have banned bee killing pesticides in England and today we’re going further to support farmers and growers to adopt sustainable practices.”
The move comes as part of the UK government’s wider Plan for Change, which identifies food security as a key part of national security, accelerating efforts to boost food production while reducing pesticide use and safeguarding ecosystems.
The action plan will include the promotion of Integrated Pest Management (IPM), which incorporates nature-based solutions and innovative pest control methods.
Read more: Pesticides a ‘major contributor’ to biodiversity loss, study finds
Regional implementation
The programme will be implemented across all four regions of the UK, with Welsh deputy first minister with responsibility for climate change and rural affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies, saying, “This new plan encourages changes across all sectors of society so that we can achieve this, together.”
Elsewhere, Scottish agriculture minister Jim Fairlie added, “Our goal is to minimise the risks and impact of pesticides to human health and the environment, while ensuring that our land managers have effective tools to manage pests and pesticide resistance.” Read more here.
