HL Deb 12 June 1997 vol 580 cc94-5WA
Lord Moran

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have yet been able to consider the recent report published by the Joint Nature Conservation Committee entitled The indirect effects of Pesticides on birds, and whether they would be prepared to introduce economic instruments such as taxes to encourage a reduction in the use of pesticides; and

Whether they have any plans to discuss with the persons in English Nature and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds responsible for editing the report The indirect effects of Pesticides on birds steps which might be taken to alleviate the adverse effects on farmland birds identified in that report; and

Whether they have any plans to provide more advice to farmers, landowners and manufacturers on the impacts of pesticide use in agriculture.

Lord Donoughue

The Government welcome the report from the Joint Nature Conservation Committee on the Indirect Effects of Pesticides on Birds. The independent Advisory Committee on Pesticides (ACP) has been asked to consider the report. It is currently being examined by the ACP's Environmental Panel, which includes English Nature among its members.

A range of measures are in place which aim to reduce the impact of pesticides on the environment and to support conservation. These include the promotion of integrated crop management by the Pesticides Forum and the provision of grants for conservation measures under agri-environment schemes such as Countryside Stewardship. The Government also fund free on-farm conservation advice, which is provided by ADAS and the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG). Advice to farmers on measures to protect wildlife is also contained in the Code of Practice on the Safe Use of Pesticides on Farms and Holdings. Additionally, research is being funded on the environmental impact of pesticides and on the effects of agricultural management practices on farmland bird populations. The Government are seeking to improve scientific understanding of the key factors influencing farmland bird populations and to develop policy responses which promote conservation while ensuring a productive and efficient agricultural industry.