Archived press release

Pesticide tax needed to tackle pollution

26 November 2002

Friends of the Earth today renewed calls for a commitment to a pesticide tax in the Chancellor's Pre-Budget Statement, following publication of a report that finds voluntary measures intended to reduce pesticide use are having "little impact" on tackling pollution.

The Environmental Audit Committee report on "Pesticides: The Voluntary Initiative" [1] reviews progress on the initiative established by Government in October last year. It concludes that:

• the Voluntary Initiatives does not have sufficient incentives to ensure the high level of take-up required;
• there is little emphasis within the initiative on reducing the use of pesticides and encouraging alternative approaches;
• the Government must develop and published a pesticides strategy, including the use of fiscal instruments and including a strong regulatory framework.

Yesterday Britain was criticised by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in its Environmental Performance Review [2] for the using twice as much pesticide as other similar countries, leading to the pollution of rivers and canals and a reduction in water quality.

Friends of the Earth believes a pesticide tax should be introduced in next year's Budget. A reinvestment package must be established alongside, so that money from the tax can be channelled back into helping farmers find safe alternatives. The Government's Environment Minister Michael Meacher today told a conference that he believed a pesticides tax could be a useful tool if combined with other measures.

Friends of the Earth Pesticides Campaigner Sandra Bell said:

"The Environmental Audit Committee report is very timely. It is clear that the voluntary initiative is not working. It is time the Government looked to a pesticide tax to have a real impact on cutting pesticide pollution. But the money raised must be used to support British farmers in finding safe alternatives to chemical pesticides. This would be good news for the environment and good news for consumers."

Notes

[1] www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200203/cmselect/cmenvaud/443/443.pdf
(PDF)
[2] Environmental Performance Review. The United Kingdom. OECD, November 25th 2002.

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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust