Tuesday 19 November 2002
The Hilton Brighton Metropole Hotel

CROP PROTECTION UNDER LICENCE

Make no mistake, the pressure from Government, retailers and consumers to make farming more environmentally accountable will continue and, whatever the rights and wrongs of the matter, that means the use of crop protection products will be put under the microscope.

Whilst the threat of a pesticide tax in the UK might have receded, at least for the time being, as the industry is given the opportunity to implement the Voluntary Initiative, many questions remain unanswered.

• Who will be allowed to use crop protection products in future and how will they prove their continuing competence?



• How will the research community make sure that environmental information gets through to advisers and users so that sensible judgements can be made about what to use and when?



• What documentation might have to be produced and what new protocols could farmers be asked to follow?



• What will be the effect on the competitiveness of UK farming?

This Forum is designed to stimulate discussion on the likely measures, either voluntary or mandatory, which will impinge on the everyday routine of those engaged in the business of food production. A wide range of views will be aired including those of the Government's Voluntary Initiative Steering Group and the NFU as well as experts from the Environment Agency, BASIS and the advisory sector. To round off the debate there will be a farmer perspective comparing the different attitudes and approaches to change in the UK and Europe.

Ample opportunity will also be given for those in the audience to air their views on the implications of the proposed changes to the way in which food is produced in the UK.

Organiser
Geoff Beaumont - BCPE, Bury St Edmonds, UK

This Forum is supported by the leading magazine for the UK arable sector.