Pesticides - Useful Links

  • Scottish Government Pesticide webpage - Background information on pesticides and their regulation.
  • UK Pesticides National Action Plan 2025: Working for a more sustainable future - GOV.UK - The National Action Plan (NAP) sets out the strategy for managing pesticide use and minimising risk. It reflects the priorities and ambitions of all 4 governments in the UK and aims to promote the sustainable use of pesticides to minimise impacts on the environment and human health, whilst managing pests and pesticide resistance effectively and ensuring farmers have the tools they need for food production.
  • Scottish IPM Plan - A plan of integrated pest management activities designed to support Scottish growers in adoption of an integrated approach to control insect pests, weeds and diseases.
  • Fera: Pesticide Usage Statistics - Pesticide usage data on agricultural and horticultural crops in Great Britain from 1990, with downloadable reports covering specific crops.
  • Health and Safety Executive: Chemicals Regulation Directorate - The regulator for biocides, pesticides, detergents and chemicals which fall under the REACH legislation. A primary source of information on the current approval status of plant protection products. Provides essential guidance for current and prospective approval holders.
  • NetRegs - Environmental Guidance for Small and Medium Sized Businesses - Up-to-date information on environmental law with guidance on how to comply with legislation and regulations, including waste disposal.
  • Pesticide Usage Monitoring: Northern Ireland - Detailed information on the use of pesticides on all commercially grown crops in Northern Ireland, with downloadable reports covering specific crops.
  • Pesticides: Code of Practice for Using Plant Protection Products in Scotland - Aimed at professional users of pesticides, with practical advice on how to use pesticides safely and meet the wealth of legal obligations covering commercial use, disposal and record keeping.
  • Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) - Scotland’s environmental regulator, with information on air, land and water quality monitoring and classification.
  • Scottish Government: Farming and Rural Issues - Information on a wide range of farming topics including the Scotland Rural Development Programme, Nitrate Vulnerable Zones and animal health and welfare issues.
  • The Voluntary Initiative - Information on best practice in the use of pesticides to reduce environmental impacts.
  • UK Expert Committee on Pesticides (ECP) - Committee which provides independent, impartial advice to the Government on the science related to pesticides