Pesticides consultation on charges and enforcement launched
A consultation on pesticides enforcement regulations and fees associated with protecting people and the environment from pesticides use has been launched today.
These regulations set down the penalties and enforcement powers on the marketing and use of pesticides. They also update the fees and charges manufacturers pay for the authorisation, testing and monitoring regime which is designed to protect people and the environment from harm.
Fees have remained unchanged since 2007 and the consultation looks at ways to update the current system to reflect the need to recover costs from the companies that benefit from authorisations.
The new legislation forms part of the EU Thematic Strategy on Pesticides, which aims to bring all member states up to the high standards in the UK and to create a level playing field across Europe.
The Government will continue to take a risk-based approach to minimising the potential impacts of pesticides on people or the environment.
The Government published the summary of responses and initial Government response to the consultation on implementing the new European legislation last year: http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/2010/12/15/pesticides/
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Further information about the consultation can be found here: http://archive.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/pesticides2011/.