Millions of people who walk in the countryside, or who live near sprayed fields, are about to miss the chance, literally, of a lifetime. A unique opportunity is being strangled by the agrochemical industry and intensive arming interests, warns PESTICIDE ACTION NETWORK UK.(PAN UK)

“people don’t realise that currently we have no legal right to know what pesticides farmers are using” Says Alison Craig of PAN UK “If you crossed a field that had recently been sprayed, and it made you so ill that you were taken to hospital, the farmer would only have to disclose to the authorities the chemicals involved- he would not have to tell you.”

The Government has launched a public consultation on this right, but PAN UK is concerned that the people most affected remain unaware of it. In the meantime, a massive vote of opposition has been made by the powerful largescale intensive farming and agrochemical industry interests.

For more info contact Alison Craig at PAN UK: 0207 274 8895

This is a vital opportunity – make a submission to the governments 2 public consultations: the deadline has been extended til the 15th September. The proposals would oblige farmers to a) keep a register- open to the public- of what pesticides they have used and in what quantity and b) notify those in surrounding houses of when they are going to spray and what they are using.. the deadline for comment on the proposal to introduce buffer zones will be the 31st October. So more time with that one, but write off now for the consultation document to
MJ Oliver, Pesticide and Enforcement Policy, Pesticides Safety Directorate, mallard Housem Kings Pool, 3 Peasholme Green, York YO1 7PX or go to
www.pesticides.gov.uk