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Farmers - How to Help

How you can help
The Voluntary Initiative demonstrates how the farming community, crop protection industry and environmental groups can work together to build on best practice achievements in producing quality food with a special focus on maintaining and improving biodiversity and water quality.

The crop production industry, working with the Government, has implemented a number of activities. These can be grouped into three main areas:
  • Research
  • Training
  • Stewardship and Communication

    The farmer needs to do three things to support the Voluntary Initiative:
    1. Join the National Register of Sprayer Operators (NRoSO)
    2. Have the sprayer tested under the National Sprayer Testing Scheme (NSTS)
    3. Complete a Crop Protection Management Plan (CPMP)

    It is also essential that best practice is followed in all areas and especially
  • Selection and Use of Insecticides
  • Water protection
  • Application

    Improving farming practices has shown that:
  • Crop yield and quality can be optimised
  • Money can be saved
  • The environment can be improved

    More information on the steps you need to take to show your support of the Voluntary Initiative can be found on this website.

    The alternative to committing would be the possible introduction of a Pesticide Tax. In 1997/8 the Government considered such a tax. At an estimated 30% rate this could cost farming £125m per year, approximately £25 per hectare for a typical arable farmer.

    You need to support the Voluntary Initiative’s objectives now. If we do so in sufficient numbers it sends a strong message to the Government that there is no need for a Pesticide Tax. The Government has stated that, providing it was fully implemented, “we believe that the Voluntary Initiative should be the most effective way of reducing the environmental impacts of pesticides.” (24/02/03)

    The Voluntary Initiative is in your hands -- JOIN NOW OR PAY LATER!