The NFU has expressed its disappointment after new red tape was introduced without consultation requiring all pesticide users in Britain to register on a government database.

Anyone who uses Plant Protection Products (PPPs) must register with Defra or the equivalent government departments in Scotland and Wales by 22 June 2022.

Defra and the Health and Safety Executive, which enforces the laws regarding pesticides, have published the new requirements for users of PPPs.

See also: The rules for legal storage of pesticides on farm

The Official Controls Regulations (OCR) require any users of PPPs to register their name and business address, plus information about the quantity of professional PPPs they use and/or store in a typical year.

The OCR is a package of requirements to ensure regulators are engaging with professional users and distributors of PPPs in a proactive way, establishing a risk-based approach to inspection and enforcement.

Defra says the aim is to ensure compliance with existing pesticide legislation, across agriculture, horticulture, amenity and forestry.

While the OCR introducing these new requirements is not new, the NFU says it is concerned at the lack of consultation on how they are going to be implemented.

‘Very poorly timed’

NFU vice-president David Exwood said: “This additional red tape is very poorly timed, affecting farmers and growers when their businesses are already under significant stress from spiralling costs, in particular for fertiliser, feed and labour.

“We’re extremely disappointed about the lack of consultation with industry on these changes from Defra and the concerning feedback I have already heard from members since this requirement was published shows that consultation with farmers was desperately needed.

“We have contacted Defra to urgently discuss these requirements, to share members’ concerns about avoiding unnecessary duplication and better understand the role and use of the register moving forwards.”