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14 February 2006 - Launch of New Pesticide
Code of Practice
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A new Statutory Code of Practice for users of pesticides has
been introduced in England and Wales, replacing the three earlier codes as
follows:
- Code of Practice for the Safe Use of Pesticides on Farms and Small
Holdings ("the Green Code").
- Code of Practice for the use of Approved pesticides in Amenity Areas and
Industrial Areas ("the Orange Code") a voluntary code produced by the National
Association of Agricultural Contractors and the British Agrochemical
Association.
- Those parts of the Code of Practice for the safe use of Pesticides for
Non-Agricultural Purposes - The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health
Regulations 1999 ("the Blue Code") which deal with forestry.
The new Code of Practice includes the pesticide code for amenity areas, which
up until now has been a voluntary one.
England and Wales are the first to receive the new code. The
Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department will issue it's own
code. The Department of Agriculture in Northern Ireland have their
own code at present, which they are considering updating.
Some features of the new Code of Practice are as follows:
- The Code of Practice is for people who work in the horticulture,
agriculture, forestry or the amenity sector, to help them have a better
understanding of pesticide use within Legislation.
- The statutory basis of the new code means that it can be used in evidence
if people are taken to court for offences involving pesticides.
- An important feature in the code is the reference to the need, by law, to
keep records of pesticide treatments as a result of the two new EC
regulations, which came into force on 1 January 2006.
- The Code of Practice sets out both what is required by law and the best
practice for the use of pesticides which are controlled under this
legislation.
- The Code of Practice covers protection of wildlife and the environment as
well as human health.
Lord Bach, Sustainable Farming and Food Minister commented:
"I am delighted to launch this new and up to date code. It is an
important development as it will help all professional users of pesticides,
whether they work in agriculture, horticulture, forestry or the amenity
sector, to better understand and operate within the legislation.
"The latest code provides information on the new legal requirement to
keep spray records and advises on the new laws regarding protection of ground
water and waste management. We are delighted that our close working with the
Plain English Campaign has resulted in a code which is clearer, more focused
and easier to read and understand."
Further information for the Code of Practice use of plant protection products
can be obtained from the Pesticides Safety Directorate Website by clicking the
following:
Pesticides Safety Directorate (PSD) Webpages
The National Assembly for Wales Website will make available a Welsh language
version of this code, which can be accessed by clicking the following:
National Assembly for Wales
Further information on pesticides can also be accessed from the HSE Webpages
by clicking the following:
HSE Industry sector - Pesticides
Article by Alexandra Johnston
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