Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when his Department plans to publish the National Action Plan for the Sustainable Use of Pesticides; and what assessment he has made of whether he will need to bring forward legislative proposals to allow uncertified voluntary conservation workers to return to using glyphosate solution under the direct supervision of properly certified professional staff.

We will be publishing the National Action Plan for the Sustainable Use of Pesticides later this year, which will set out proposals to minimise the risks and impacts of pesticides to human health and the environment, while ensuring pests and pesticides resistance are managed effectively. This will include measures to support the increase in uptake of Integrated Pest Management across agriculture, amenity and amateur sectors.

The Health and Safety Executive have made recommendations on the issue of conservation volunteers using glyphosate under supervision and Defra will consider these as part of the broader review of pesticide regulations.