Less pesticides won't make food production more sustainable

Some weeks ago, the UK launched its Pesticides National Action Plan (NAP) 2025; its objective is to reduce pesticide usage for environmental and human health reasons.
While it recognises that farmers need the tools to grow food and the merits of Integrated Pest Management – or Integrated Crop Management (ICM) – it is missing some critical points.
That's according to independent agronomist and deputy managing director of the farmer-owned cooperative, Scottish Agronomy, Greg Dawson.
'If we focus too narrowly on chemical reduction targets without considering their real-world implications, policy makers may unintentionally make growing food in the UK less sustainable – practically, economically, and environmentally,' Dawson said.
The agronomist added that farmers have generally become hardened to the fact that the toolbox is being repeatedly squeezed, and each new policy and plan will take away another input they rely on to produce food at scale.
But if it goes too far, it will make primary production in the UK unviable or unattractive to be in, he explained.
'We saw in Denmark how the introduction of a pesticide tax, in addition to an already stringent regulatory process, disincentivised the use of a specific multi-site fungicide for the control of potato blight,' he continued.
'Strains emerged that were more aggressive and adapted to overcome plant resistance and compromised the activity of some of the remaining fungicides.
'In some cases, crops failed to achieve a marketable yield which is the worst case for environmental and economic sustainability.
'These strains have now spread throughout the northern European potato-producing area placing even more pressure on ICM plans,' he added.
In the UK, the reorganisation of Plant Protection Product regulations post-Brexit resulted in the removal of the only options for grass weed control in winter oats, a crop that has a great health story for Scotland, according to the agronomist.
'A swathe of our members stopped growing them in response,' he said.
The Scottish Agronomy representative went on to point out that the UK is doing an amazing job, where the effective use of agrochemicals is concerned.
Between 1990 and 2020, synthetic inputs in the UK have reduced by 60%, while they have increased by 90% globally.
'No responsible producer would want to see unfettered use of synthetic inputs. But they have been a strong part of the UK's food narrative since the much lauded post-Second World War Green Revolution,' Dawson continued.
'…[T]he innovations in plant breeding and the introduction of chemical fertilisers and pesticides which increased yields, feeding a growing population, improving standards of living and suppressing food prices.
'They still have an essential place today.'
Dawson has pointed to a conundrum that now confronts arable farming in the UK.
While the aforementioned NAP recognises the importance of ICM (referred to as IPM), it fails to appreciate that it is a strategic approach with multiple tools that rely on each other.
'The clue is in the word 'integrated'. Without, or with limited, chemistry, one of the legs of the stool has gone,' he explained.
'Crop rotation, variety choice, and drilling dates are key components of ICM but their effectiveness to reduce weed, pest, and disease pressure is supported and protected by the use of plant protection products, and critically, multiple modes of action.
'Ongoing withdrawals and regulatory constraints are eroding our ability to fully utilise one important suite of tools effectively, and that has consequences for the others too.'

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Agriland

13-06-2025

• Agriland

Ag Committee chair calls for withdrawal of NAP public consultation

The chairperson of the Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (AERA) Committee, Robbie Butler has called for the withdrawal of the current Nutrients Action Programme (NAP) public consultation in Northern Ireland. Butler did so courtesy of his contribution to a Stormont Assembly debate on the matter earlier this week. Butler said in his address: 'There is no doubt that improving water quality in Lough Neagh and in our rivers is essential. 'No one in this chamber, and certainly no one in our rural communities, denies the scale of the problem.' NAP public consultation The AERA committee chair went on to explain why he felt the NAP public consultation should be withdrawn. ' But we must be honest: the proposals currently on the table risk alienating the very people whose buy-in, expertise and practical action are essential to achieving real, lasting change,' Butler said. 'Over 3,500 farms face the prospect of stricter phosphorus limits, compulsory buffer strips, and mandatory investment in low-emission slurry equipment. 'These NAP proposals are not being introduced into a vacuum. They come at a time of immense financial pressure, workforce stress, and a growing sense of disconnect between policy-makers and those working the land.' The AERA committee chairperson went on to confirm his attendance at a recent service of remembrance to honour those who have died on farms, whether by tragic accident or by suicide. He said: 'That reality is a sobering reminder of the toll these pressures are already taking. 'With serious and very real pressures growing on family farms in Northern Ireland, we must without doubt face up to our environmental responsibilities: but we must not break our farmers to do so. 'That's why I support the call for the withdrawal of the NAP consultation: not to abandon progress, but to create space for a better, fairer, more joined-up approach. One that is evidence-based, co-designed, and genuinely multi-sectoral.' Threats to water quality But the Lagan Valley-based Ulster Unionist Party politician feels that simply to end the NAP public consultation process does not go far enough. He said he wants to ensure that agriculture is not seen as the only source of pollution affecting Lough Neagh. Nor is it the only sector in need of reform. Butler explained: 'Water quality in our rivers and lakes is being degraded not just by nutrient runoff, but also by inadequate wastewater treatment infrastructure, industrial discharge, urban runoff, and rising temperatures driven by climate change. 'Invasive species like zebra mussels have altered the very ecology of the lough. 'The question of whether to dredge or not to dredge remains contentious. These wider factors must be part of the conversation too : not pushed to the sidelines.' Butler outlined the type of strategy he felt should replace the current NAP public consultation. 'If we isolate agriculture while ignoring these other pressures, we risk making the same mistakes again. Worse still, we risk losing the confidence of rural communities; communities who want to be part of the solution but too often feel they are treated as the problem.' 'That's why we need a reset. A strategy that respects farmers, rewards best practice, and reflects the collective responsibility we all share for protecting our environment. 'That includes collaboration between the minister for agriculture, environment and rural affairs and the minister for infrastructure — particularly around the chronic underinvestment in wastewater infrastructure that continues to contribute to pollution across the region.'

Agriland

12-06-2025

• Agriland

Muir must ‘start again' on NAP issue

Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (AERA), Andrew Muir, has been told that he must go back to the drawing board in terms of developing a Nutrients Action Plan (NAP) for Northern Ireland. This is according to Declan McAleer, the deputy chair of Northern Ireland's AERA Committee. Speaking after a Stormont Assembly debate on the new NAP regulations, McAleer said that the agriculture minister has put the cart before the horse. McAleer added: 'There is talk of a stakeholder group being formed to review the outcome of the now ongoing NAP public consultation. 'Getting the fundamental view of these bodies before going public with any package of proposals should have been the course of action taken in the first place. 'And that's what should happen now. The farm minister should bring the current public consultation to an end with immediate effect and start again.' The Sinn Féin politician also believes that many of the current NAP proposals are not for purpose. He explained: 'They give little recognition to the steps that have been taken on farms across the north to prove water quality. 'All farmers want water of the highest quality – both for their own personal use while also meeting the needs of their stock. 'Looking ahead, the proposed NAP arrangements foresee the use of low emission slurry spreading equipment on all farms by 2029. 'But the reality is that small farm businesses in places like the Sperrins will not be able to fund an investment of this type from their own pockets.' According to McAleer, this 'brings up the issue of effective support being made available' to ensure the proper implementation of any NAP proposals that are eventually agreed upon. 'Farmers have a vital role to play in protecting our waterways and need to be properly supported to do that,' he said. McAleer indicated that the Stormont Assembly had sent a clear message by voting to reject the minister's plan and to call for meaningful engagement with the farming community. 'The current NAP proposals are not fit for purpose. The timelines currently set out are very difficult for many farmers to meet and the necessary supports are absent,' the AERA Committee deputy chair said. 'Sinn Féin has raised these concerns directly with department of agriculture officials and we will continue to make the case for a just transition whereby the department properly engages with farmers, carries out proper impact assessments and supports farmers to reduce pollution.'

Agriland

10-06-2025

• Agriland

NI ag minister receives death threat

Northern Ireland's Minister for Agriculture, Enterprise and Rural Affairs, Andrew Muir has received a death threat, that has been reported to the Police Service Northern Ireland (PSNI). Minister Muir said that a comment was posted during a Zoom call he was attending, which threatened to 'have (the minister) shot'. The PSNI said it has received reports of threats, and has launched an investigation. Minister Muir said: 'I'm disappointed to see some of the online comments posted in recent times, both in terms of myself and also officials. 'This does not reflect the vast majority of people in farming, I have been welcomed into many farmers' homes and I'm grateful for the warm and respectful welcome since I took up ministerial office.' The minister also believes it is important to 'lower the tone' in wider public discourse on the draft Nutrients Action Programme (NAP) proposals. He said: 'This is a public consultation – there's no need to issue death threats against me, nor make discriminatory comments about anyone. 'We have a critical challenge in terms of improving water quality in Lough Neagh, and also giving financial stability and certainty for farming here. 'That will not change via death threats or anything else. I have a job to do for the people of Northern Ireland and I will continue to do that,' the minister added. Minister Andrew Muir The deputy leader of the Alliance Party, Eóin Tennyson has described the death threat as 'deplorable and unacceptable'. Tennyson said: 'I am proud of the leadership Andrew has offered on Lough Neagh and the protection of our environment. Whilst there must always be space for honest, open and robust political debate; there can be no place for intimidation or threat of violence. 'Threats against any politician are an attack on the democratic process.' The chief superintendent of the PSNI, Stephen Murray said that the PSNI will do all it can to ensure that politicians are supported, and that they can undertake their role 'free from fear and intimidation'. Murray said: 'It is totally unacceptable that anyone should face abuse or threats simply for carrying out the duties of their office. We will thoroughly investigate any such incident. 'We regularly engage with our elected representatives in order to provide information on personal safety, how the police service can support them and, crucially, when to report an incident to police.' 'We regularly engage with assembly and parliamentary officials, and the electoral commission, in regard to elected representative safety,' Murray added.