Health and Safety Executive Working Group meeting on pesticide statistics 14 October 2009 UK approach to pesticide indicators Grant Stark

Health and Safety Executive Developing the UK approach Long standing practice of monitoring usage in agricultural crops. Since 1996, indicators of use developed and assessed by the Pesticide Forum Indicators Group. Format of report closely mirrors structure of national pesticide strategy (the UK National Action Plan). Indicators developed on basis of identifying where risk lies (user practice/behaviour). Indicators mix of monitoring and user practice. Use the Pesticide Forum Indicators Group to put the results in context. Results/analysis posted on the internet each year.

Health and Safety Executive Indicators used Context: Amount and type of use on key crops and practice of users. Human health: Reported poisoning incidents, compliance with maximum residue levels. Water: environmental regulator monitoring data (trends surface and ground waters and pollution incidents); Biodiversity: lack good data (bird populations, user practice/awareness) Amateur and amenity use: new surveys of user practice. Availability: biopesticides and ‘gaps’.

Health and Safety Executive National Strategy Outcome Maintain availability of means of pest control particularly for minor crops National Strategy Outcome Reduce water pollution caused by pesticides National Strategy Outcome Establish ‘best practice’ in use of pesticides in amenity sector National Strategy Outcome Reduce impact of pesticides on biodiversity National Strategy Outcome Minimise risk to users and the environment from amateur pesticide products Group Availability Group Water Group Biodiversity Group Amenity Group Amateur National Strategy Outcome Encourage introduction of alternatives, greater use of integrated approaches National Strategy Outcome Protect consumers from residues in food and users, workers, bystanders and residents from applications Group Human Health Core indicators Number biopesticides registered Headline indicator Filling of gaps Headline indicator WFD compliance Headline indicator Use of best practice Headline indicator Bird populations Headline indicator Improved usage Core indicators Monitoring data Cost removal drinking water Core Indicators Practice in local government Amenity pesticides in water Core indicators Land management practices Poisoning incidents Core indicators Practice users Training retailers Disposal facilities Headline indicators Poisoning incidents Core indicators Compliance with maximum residue levels Context indicators Pesticide sales, use on key crops, users/distributors/ advisers undergoing advanced training, testing of equipment, use of management plans, results of compliance checks.

Health and Safety Executive Thank you, any questions? Grant Stark Chemicals Regulation Directorate Pesticides Environment Policy Branch

Pesticide Indicators Thank you, any questions? Grant Stark Chemicals Regulation Directorate Pesticides Environment Policy Branch