Farming honoured as Voluntary Initiative celebrates 25 years

The Voluntary Initiative (VI) celebrated its 25th anniversary at a reception in parliament this week, recognising the support the farming industry has given to this important programme.

The non-profit organisation was established in 2001 to develop industry schemes, including the National Register of Sprayer Operators (NRoSO) and the National Sprayer Testing Scheme (NSTS), in response to a proposed UK government pesticide tax.

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It now works with a range of partner organisations to promote best practice to help protect water, wildlife, the environment, operators and public safety through training and the promotion of stewardship.

David Bell, a mixed farmer and contractor from East Fife, who chairs the VI, said that 21,500 operators maintain professional standards through NRoSO annually and 18,000 sprayers a year are tested through the NSTS.

Additionally, 31,000 integrated pest management plans have been completed by farmers since 2020.

Their work with partner organisations has seen a 34% reduction in monitored plant protection product concentrations.

“As we mark 25 years of the VI, we should be proud of what has been achieved.

“But we should also see this milestone as a platform for the next phase of our work,” Mr Bell said.

“Our responsibility is to keep raising standards, keep strengthening the evidence base, and ensure best practice is applied in every field, by every operator, every time.”