The National Pesticides Forum has said pesticides are “not impacting adversely” in the UK in its latest annual report.

The report maps progress made in delivering the UK's pesticides strategy which covers human health, environment, amenity use, amateur use and availability of products and techniques, reports Farm Business.

The report revealed significant increases in the impact of new lower-use rate fungicides in reducing total fungicide use and notes the relatively low number of breaches in pesticide legislation identified in Rural Payments Agency Cross Compliance inspections.

The Pesticides Forum was set up in 1996 and advises government on policy relating to the responsible use of pesticides and best practice.

"Our report indicates that the use of pesticides is not impacting adversely on the health of UK citizens or the environment," said Pesticide Forum chairman James Clarke.

"The mix of statutory and voluntary controls delivered within the framework of the government's UK Pesticides Strategy has been successful in ensuring that society derives the benefits which can accrue from the responsible use of these chemicals, without being exposed to unacceptable levels of risk which could arise from their use."

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