A new report from the Nature Friendly Farming Network (NFFN) says that ‘greater action’ is required to improve Red Tractor’s current approach to pesticide reduction.
The report which was produced with support from NGOs Pesticide Action Network UK and RSPB and included a focus group and interviews with three supermarkets, claims Red Tractor ‘urgently needs to review and strengthen its promotion of non-chemical pesticide alternatives, including via Integrated Pest Management (IPM).’ It highlights the scheme’s lack of targets to reduce pesticide use and its failure to require its certified farmers to adopt alternative approaches such as selecting pest and disease resistant crop varieties, crop rotations and using biopesticides.
According to NFFN, Red Tractor is missing an opportunity to provide a strong and coherent framework for addressing pesticide use. It adds that Red Tractor can support its certified farmers to demonstrate best practice to consumers, thereby enabling them to add value to their business. The report concludes that if the scheme’s IPM requirements were strengthened significantly it would not only help to improve the diversity and resilience of farm ecosystems, but also drive positive change within farm businesses by reducing variable costs.
Martin Lines, co-author of the report, farmer and chair of the Nature Friendly Farming Network, said, “There will always be a balance to strike between pesticide reduction and the quality and quantity of the crop produced, but Red Tractor has an opportunity to provide the right support and guidance in driving an uptake of IPM. This is more than achievable, but most importantly, incredibly necessary.”
Josie Cohen, head of policy and campaigns at PAN UK, added, “If we’re to have any hope of solving the biodiversity crisis then we must move away from our dependence on pesticides. But Red Tractor standards continue to prioritise the use of chemicals, without placing limits on how much or where they can be used.”
Photo source: NFFN / PAN UK