Archive Article: 2001/11/16

16 November 2001

Door may be opened to cheaper pesticides

Some pesticides, like cars, are often cheaper on the Continent, but importing them has never been easy.

Just as European cars are built left-hand drive, so sprays used on the other side of the Channel are often slightly different formulations. That has blocked their use in this country.

But not any more thanks to a recent decision by the Court of Appeal. It gives the Pesticide Safety Directorate more flexibility when issuing import licenses for "similar" cheaper sprays from Europe.

That is good news for farmers because it should mean some cheaper agrochemicals. But the PSD needs to speed up its licensing process if it is to have a significant impact.