Copies of the Crop Protection Management Plan (CPMP) moved swiftly at the Cereals 2003 event last week and a further 20,00 copies are being distributed to members of the Assured Combinable Crops and Assured Produce schemes.
Agronomists and agri-chemical suppliers have taken on the responsibility this year for recording details of the area farmed in line with CPMP, which lays down a blueprint that can be adapted to fit the needs of individual farm businesses as well as offering advice on the use, storage and the disposal of crop protection products for the benefit of water and wildlife.
The CPMP proforma was launched in April with Defra minister Lord Whitty's support. It needs to be in used on 200,000 hectares by the end of this year, rising to a million in three years time.
NFU vice-president Michael Paske is urging farmers to shout about their efforts. He said: 'It is important that farmers and growers taking part don't hide their light under a bushel, and let those involved in the voluntary initiative know they are taking part.'