Pesticide Stakeholder Group (PSG14) note of meeting: 5 June 2025

Attendees and apologies

• Jackie Hughes, Scottish Government, Chair
• Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity
• Gillian Reay, Scottish Government
• Katie Viezens, Scottish Government
• Romy Strachan, Scottish Government
• Alison Knox, Scottish Government
• Alan Elder, Scottish Government
• Darrell Crothers, Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA)
• Jason Hubert, Scottish Forestry
• Bek Hirstman, Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB)
• Hazel Doonan, Agriculture Industries Confederation (AIC)
• Ian MacDougall, Agriculture Industries Confederation (AIC)
• Andy Steven, Agrovista
• Jenny Brunton, British Agricultural Bureau
• Amy Cobbett, British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI)
• Colin Palmer, Confederation of Forest Industries
• John Feege, Co-op
• Joanna McTigue, Horticulture Crop Protection UK Ltd
• Alison Lees, James Hutton Institute (JHI)
• Dave Bell, National Register of Sprayer Operators (NRoSO) , UK Voluntary Initiative
• Stevie Gray, Scottish Agronomy
• Teresa Dougall, Scottish Quality Crops
• Hannah Blitzer, Soil Association
• Neal Evans, UK Voluntary Initiative

Items and actions

Welcome 

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Matters arising 

The minutes from PSG13 (held on 4 April 2025) had previously been agreed.   

The updated Action Log was circulate to members prior to the meeting. In relation to Action Point PSG13-01 (potential impact on minor crops of the pending active substance losses in EU), the following comments were received from Horticulture Crop Protection UK Ltd: 

• Metribuzin: Carrot crops cannot out-compete weeds at an early stage of crop establishment and there are still limitations to non-chemical weed management approaches for commercial production. Herbicide products containing metribuzin have been a mainstay of weed management programmes in carrots for several years and have provided effective contact control of a range of broad-leaved weeds. With non-renewal of metribuzin in EU and uncertainty over future use in GB, there is considerable concern about impact to carrot production. Growers are seeking minor use authorisations for alternative herbicide products, however, products that can manage a similar weed spectrum effectively with minimal crop damage are limited. 
• Flufenacet: minor uses are currently available for products containing flufenacet on e.g. blackcurrant/small berries, asparagus, rye, triticale, hemp grown for fibre, ornamental plant production and forest nursery. HCP are not progressing any new minor use applications for products containing flufenacet. Crops that have minor use authorisations for products containing coformulations of flufenacet with metribuzin, e.g. asparagus, could be particularly impacted and are currently considering alternative minor use options.  

Two further outstanding actions (PSG13-02 (SG to contact HSE regarding any insight into potential resistance concerns with flupyradifurone during the authorisation process) and PSG13-03 (Defra colleagues to be invited to a future meeting to discuss the development and aim of the PLI)), remain open and the group will be updated in due course.

Scottish Government Updates 

A Scottish Government written update was provided to the group in advance of the meeting. The following points were highlighted by the group in relation to this agenda item:

• Request for the SG to check the dates for the extension of active substance – pyrethrins [post meeting update: SG have checked the active substance approval register and confirm that the date of 30.09.2027 is currently correct]. 

Open discussion/Round-table

The Chair confirmed that, following the first UK-EU Summit on Monday 19th May, pesticides regulations will be within the scope of a Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) agreement between the EU and the UK but that details of the agreement are still subject to negotiation.

The Chair confirmed that the Scottish Government is in support of the development of an SPS agreement and will work collaboratively with the UK Government and other devolved governments on the development and implementation of the agreement.

Group members noted that it was too early in the process to discuss the terms of the agreement, including what it means for individual active substance approvals. The importance of the UK having input into EU decisions was stressed, particularly because HSE’s Chemicals Regulation Division was a very well respected Competent Authority while the UK was a member of the EU.

Both the Minister and the Chair reiterated the need to make clear what the Scottish specific issues were. The group’s experience and technical understanding are valued by the Scottish Government and group members were encouraged to feed in questions and/or comments which would be taken forward in any UK discussions. 

Action PSG14-01: group members to contribute information in relation to EU-reset to the PSG secretariat to inform discussions with UK counterparts.

The floor was then opened up for further discussions and the following issues were highlighted:

• The Chair reiterated the development of a UK pesticide horizon function (an action in the UK Pesticides National Action Plan) which will help anticipate future crop protection gaps, assess impacts and develop mitigations. Some members of the group have been contacted about an initial foresight study. If anyone has not been contacted but is interested in participating, please get in touch (Romy.Strachan@gov.scot).   
• JHI pleased to see a link to their research which is supporting the UK National Action Plan in the SG written update: Research Innovations Underpin Scotland’s Push to Cut Pesticide Use | SEFARI

Action PSG14-02: JHI to be invited to future meeting to give an overview of the research.

The Minister asked the group if they have had any feedback from farmers regarding the gradual changes being brought in via the Agriculture Act:  

• Dave Bell (East Fife farmer) responded that comments had been generally positive. Steps have been gradual to allow people to adjust and no major issues identified.
• AIC echoed these comments and noted that there is a need for individuals to understand the details with respect to their own farms.

Action PSG14-03: Group members to send any further feedback that they would like highlighted to the Minister to PSG secretariat.

The Minister thanked the group for their contributions.

The Agriculture Reform Programme (ARP) Tier II Enhanced update 

Following the presentation at PSG12 (December 2024), SG colleagues working on the Agriculture Reform Programme (ARP) attended to give an update on the development of the Programme in relation to Enhanced Greening. Presentation slides circulated to group members with the note of the meeting. The full guidance is available on the SG website at: Greening guidance (2026)

The main points to highlight related to changes to EFA ecological focus areas (EFA), increasing the numbers of business contributing and increasing the area being managed. The removal of certain exemption rules means that all businesses with more than 15 hectares of arable land must manage EFA areas, but this also reduces the mandatory EFA actions for smaller business types. When a farmer/crofter has more than 15 hectares of arable land then they must meet their EFA commitment to continue to receive their full Greening payment. The EFA percentage of land that must be managed will remain at 5% of the arable area for 2026 but will increase to 7% from 2027.

New business types will be included (such as livestock and grassland) and 4 new EFA options will be included to ensure that all business types have suitable options. In addition, guidance has been updated for the current 6 (of 7) options. There is also a change to the EFA map requirement in that, from 2026, it will no longer be required to be submitted annually and just needs to be available on demand (e.g. for an inspection).

A discussion followed with the following points being highlighted:

• The letter from Scottish Government explaining everything that’s to come and the announcements so far have been a great start.
• Communication with farmers, crofters etc. is a key priority as the new rules are brought in as some businesses (both small and large) have not done EFA before so guidance and awareness is paramount. Particularly upland units approaching commitment for the first time. 
• Organic farming is recognised as being a critical part or farming in Scotland, however there needs to be shift from the misconception that conventional farming is bad for the environment. We can still have a diverse, biosecure, rich environment with conventional farming using integrated pest management and adhering to good practice.
• AIC have spoken with CRD in relation to the publication of guidance making it clear as to what products can be used on cover crops.  

Action PSG14-04: AIC agreed to share relevant links to guidance when available.

Date of next meeting and close 

The Chair thanked everyone for their participation and confirmed that the next meeting will take place on Thursday 18th September 2025.

PSG Secretariat
June 2025