CPAlists seven ways to stave off input taxes
CPAlists seven ways to stave off input taxes
By Andrew Blake
FARMERS and farm managers need to address seven key areas now to deliver the environmental benefits needed to stave off any renewed threat of a pesticide tax.
That is the latest warning from the agchem manufacturers body, the Crop Protection Association.
A launch of the industrys voluntary stewardship package has been delayed by foot-and-mouth and the General Election. But much has been going on behind the scenes, says the CPAs Patrick Goldsworthy.
Although a planned farm survey is on hold, changes to training are high on the agenda.
Staff will be expected to join a new professional operators register and stay there through continuous professional development training.
A revised, but still voluntary, MOT-style sprayer testing scheme will also be promoted. "Many other EU countries have such schemes and it seems an obvious and reasonable step," says Mr Goldsworthy.
Greater attention to avoiding accidental spillages when filling sprayers is vital. "The Cherwell project highlights how tiny spills in the farmyard can cause significant water pollution problems."
LERAP (Local Environment Risk Assessment for Pesticides) measures, in place for two years, are already widely adopted, he maintains. "We really need to make sure more people are complying with them." The Pesticides Safety Directorate is expected to promote LERAPs much harder soon, notes CPA regulatory affairs officer David Priestley.
As the CPA, and formerly the BAA, the association has supported integrated crop protection methods for over a decade and farmers need to do likewise, Mr Goldsworthy continues. "Farmers have really got to make sure the ICP message is taken on board."
With the greening of the CAP and more financial support going towards wildlife management, more farms need to be seen to be taking positive initiatives, he believes.
"All these issues are likely to be addressed by Crop Protection Management Plans. These are a key component of the whole stewardship package."
A detailed survey of spraying practices and equipment on 350 arable farms, and a follow up postal questionnaire of 1000 others, are the next steps in taking the stewardship package forward.
"In theory there are 100,000 sprayers out there. We need to know how many are being used, what state they are in and how they are operated."
The answers to those questions and many others, such as the extent of operator training, should become clearer through the unique CSL survey, intended as a baseline for implementing best practice campaigns.
Autumn date
The survey is due to be conducted this autumn with a report published by February 2001. But F&M and the forthcoming election mean it still awaits the green light, explains CPA government relations manager Martin Savage.
The prospect of having an independent chairman for the steering group behind the stewardship package in place by the June 1 deadline, as originally intended, is now remote, he says.
"We are concerned because we shall now have a smaller time scale to get things done." *
Environment minister Michael Meacher, who has also been closely involved with the F&M crisis, is key to the appointment decision.
"With the entire farming community awaiting the next steps, we hope the minister will soon be able to give us the green light. We have reminded him twice."
SEVEN STEWARDSHIP ACTION AREAS
* Operator training.
* Sprayer testing.
* Filling procedures.
* More LERAP compliance.
* Increased ICP methods.
* Wildlife initiatives.
* Crop Protection Management Plans.
SEVEN STEWARDSHIP
ACTION AREAS
• Operator training.
• Sprayer testing.
• Filling procedures.
• More LERAP compliance.
• Increased ICP methods.
• Wildlife initiatives.
• Crop Protection Management Plans.