Government ministers have dismissed the idea of a pesticide tax as a “crude and blunt instrument” which would simply increase the burden on farmers.

Defra minister Alun Michael told the House of Commons EFRA sub-committee that a pesticide tax is not under active consideration.

He said in his view, it would be “paid as much by those who were undertaking those professional activities which reduced the amount of substances that run-off from the farm yard, for instance, as it does those who fail to undertake such good practice.”

For farmers it would be an “un-discriminating added burden”.

He added what really mattered for government is a shift in behaviour by those using pesticides, which is the key objective of the Voluntary Initiative.

“This is about changing behaviour, changing attitudes, changing professional practices, and we should see a continual improvement over time rather than a one-off improvement,” Michael said.

He confirmed the progress being made by the initiative in areas including sprayer testing and crop management plans, however when challenged on the levels of achievement in "environmental aims", he pointed out the need to develop "better tools to demonstrate a positive link with changes in practice".

The minister will continue to challenge the industry to produce improving results and there will be a review in 2006 when the five year programme comes to an end.

The picture across Europe is, at best, confusing said Paul O'Sullivan, head of environmental and transport tax team at HM Treasury: “Where pesticide use had reduced it was unclear how much resulted from the tax, from improved practice or from general industry change. There were similar trends in countries that had not introduced taxes.” He sees the VI as a more cost-effective way to achieve behaviour change than a tax.

Professor Barry Dent, chairman of the VI steering group - who had appeared before the committee earlier in the week welcomed the evidence given by the government team.

“I am delighted that the agricultural industry's significant efforts in changing behaviour have been recognised.

“It is a credit to the farmers who have responded to the call for improved practice, and to members of the steering group, which includes a very wide range of opinions, who have worked together extremely effectively as a team to achieve such impressive results. I also welcome the much better partnership we now have with the government."

He said the area managed by crop protection management plans has this week exceeded the 900,000 hectare target for this year.

Topics