Clock ticking on pesticide disposal scheme
The Voluntary Initiative urges farmers and growers to make the most of the pesticide disposal scheme set up by Project SOE (Security in the Operational Environment).
The past few years have seen significant decline in the number of products that are approved for use in the UK. Therefore, it is all too easy for farms to end up with obsolete stock, often in small quantities and part-used packets at the back of the chemical store, said Patrick Goldsworthy, Voluntary Initiative Manager.
“At 20 all-in this latest disposal scheme is brilliant value. It is a great opportunity for farmers and other pesticide users to have a once and for all clear out of obsolete, illegal or unwanted pesticides from stores,” said Mr Goldsworthy.
Over the past year water quality monitoring for the England Catchment Sensitive Farming Delivery Initiative has detected residues of pesticides no longer registered for use. This disposal scheme is an opportunity to ensure no further use of such products, advises Catchment Sensitive Farmings Philippa Mansfield
The www.projectsoe.org has already had several thousand registrations, so it is important that farmers and growers register as soon as possible. The scheme ends on 14th March.
- Project SOE has been developed by a number of Government agencies with significant input from key farming associations such as the National Farmers Union, Royal Agricultural Society of England, BASIS and the National Gamekeepers Organisation.
- Full details of the scheme can be obtained at www.projectsoe.org
- The sponsors of the Voluntary Initiative are the Agricultural Engineers Association, Agricultural Industries Confederation, Country Land and Business Association, Crop Protection Association, National Association of Agricultural Contractors, the NFU, NFU Scotland and the Ulster Farmers Union.
- The England Catchment Sensitive Farming Delivery Initiative (ECSFDI) is a partnership project between Defra, Environment Agency and Natural England which offers advice and support to farmers to reduce diffuse water pollution from agriculture. For further information see http://www.defra.gov.uk/foodfarm/landmanage/water/csf/