Bid to cut pesticides (From Western Telegraph)

Bid to cut pesticides

Farm trials of the industry's keenly-awaited Crop Protection Management Plans (CPMP) have begun, and will show farmers how to reduce the impact of pesticides on local water and wildlife.

The trials have the support of water watchdogs and environmental groups.

Meurig Raymond, NFU Cymru cereals delegate, who farms in Mathry, welcomed the start of the trials, which form part of the voluntary initiative - the industry's response to concern over pesticide use.

He said: "We have worked with industry and environmental groups to produce a model plan that will allow farmers to evaluate their use of pesticides and to demonstrate the environmental steps they are taking. "Farmers will be able to grade their performance and improve it by adopting simple guidelines. This will also help save costs in the short term." The NFU has tested the plan with 25 farmers and growers over the past few weeks. Comments have also be sought from agronomists.

Mr Raymond said: "These plans have potential to demonstrate good practice and deliver improvements in the way we store, handle and apply pesticides. It is hoped the voluntary initiative will avoid Government plans to introduce a pesticide tax.

"The development of these plans has involved more than a dozen organisations.

"This has helped us to ensure the advice is practical and user-friendly. These trials will help us refine this."

It is hoped that the CPMPs will be available to farmers by early March.