The Voluntary Initiative (VI) is continuing to meet its targets and will help ensure UK farmers are well placed to meet the requirements of the Sustainable Use Directive, the initiative’s annual report has revealed.

Although the 1.6 million hectares now covered by Crop Protection Management Plans was just short of target, the number of plans received by the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) has continued to increase, despite their removal as an option for new entrants to Entry Level Stewardship.

Membership of the National Register of Sprayer Operators has marginally increased to more than 20,000, despite an expected decline as businesses rationalised spraying operations. The National Sprayer Testing Scheme (NSTS) now covers 84.3 per cent of the sprayed area and the number of tests increased to more than 13,500. The shortfall from the 85 per cent target was a consequence of a change to the way the sprayed area is calculated.

Professor Barry Dent, chairman of the VI Steering Group, said: “After eight years of hard work I am pleased that farmers and the crop protection industry remain as committed as ever to the Voluntary Initiative.

“The industry faces new challenges with the implementation of both the Water Framework and the Sustainable Use Directives. However, the UK is well placed to meet these challenges and I hope, as a result of the VI’s work, the cost burden and extra red tape for farmers will be minimised.”

VI manager Patrick Goldsworthy said: “It’s important that the many successes of the VI are more widely recognised. The VI is a model for how to deliver effective, low-cost targeted solutions by industry working together with government and stakeholders.”

The VI has also announced the formation of The Voluntary Initiative Community Interest Company to help it access wider sources of funds, as well as a new website it hopes will aid easy access of information.

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