Response to National Action Plan 2025: The UK Pesticides National Action Plan (NAP) 2025 has been eagerly anticipated by the amenity sector. We are pleased to see that integrated pest management (IPM) is a key focus of the document, reinforcing its importance in sustainable pesticide use. Additionally, the plan acknowledges the necessity of access to pesticides, which remains a critical factor for the sector.
The Amenity Forum has long emphasised the importance of regulatory compliance within the industry. In this context, two key introductory paragraphs in the NAP are particularly significant:
Pesticides play an important role in protecting crops to support domestic food production, preserving natural landscapes, and maintaining vital public spaces, such as road, rail networks, and sports pitches.
Response to National Action Plan 2025
However, overuse or incorrect use of pesticides can contribute to biodiversity loss and unacceptable human exposure levels. Prolonged use of pesticides can also lead to pesticide resistance as has been identified in the case of black-grass herbicides (Varah A and others, 2020).
The Forum agrees that pesticides serve an important function, and it is essential to distinguish between their responsible use and the issues arising from misuse and overuse.
For years, the Forum has advocated for stronger enforcement within the industry. One measure we would have liked to see in the NAP is the mandatory adoption of the Amenity Standard. While this has not been included, we welcome the reference in Annex 1 to the need for effective inspection, enforcement, and control activities and will continue to engage with ministers of all the nations to lobby for the adoption of the Amenity Standard as a mandatory requirement.
Among the 18 actions outlined in the NAP, Action 5 calls for the gathering of more data on IPM and pesticide usage in the amateur and amenity sectors to better understand use, how these contribute to overall pesticide load and potential IPM approaches. The Forum recognises the existing knowledge gap regarding plant protection products (PPPs) and agrees that any future actions should be based on a clear assessment of both the benefits and potential risks of alternative practices. The Forum and its members are keen to assist in gathering data to enhance understanding and support informed decision-making.
While the Forum welcomes the NAP’s publication, much of its content reiterates long established regulations, with several actions lacking defined timelines. The amenity sector plays a vital role in UK communities, and as such, decisive, science-led change should be at the forefront of government policy.
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