Social Research for post-EU Exit Pesticides Regime

The UK pesticide and agrochemical industry is comprised mainly of Plant Protection Product (PPP) activities (covering herbicides, fungicides, insecticides and plant growth regulators). It also includes biocides (such as rodenticides, some insecticides and some disinfectants) but these are not within the scope of this research.

Current UK government policy for pesticides regulation aims for a science-led approach to decision-making, minimising regulatory burdens while maintaining high standards of human and environmental protection. The UK body responsible for the regulation of PPPs is the Chemicals Regulation Division (CRD) of the Health & Safety Executive (HSE). HSE charges fees to ensure that the full economic costs of evaluating and processing applications are recovered. Pesticide companies and user representatives tend to consider that the EU regulatory regime is unduly burdensome, takes decisions that are not based on risk and is hence responsible for stifling innovation in the development of PPPs, whereas NGOs take the position that the regulatory system needs to do more to protect humans and the environment from adverse effects of pesticide use.

Depending on the outcome of EU Exit negotiations, the UK might be able to establish a fully autonomous PPP regime or might be required to maintain a degree of harmonisation with EU legislation. This research will consist of baseline data-collection and analysis relating to the operations of UK-based enterprises engaged with pesticides before EU Exit (to be completed by the end of March 2019). There will also be follow-up data collection and analysis post EU Exit (subject to agreement on funding).