HSE publishes Pesticide Incidents Report 2001/02

HSE Press Release E195:02 - 14 October 2002

A total of 167 pesticide incidents were investigated by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) last year, according to the HSE Pesticide Incidents Report for 2001/02, published today. Sixty-three incidents involved allegations of ill health. The 167 incidents represent a decrease of 3 from the previous year's figure. It is also 31 (16%) lower than the average of 198 incidents recorded over the previous seven years.

Sixty-three incidents involving allegations of ill health is the lowest annual total recorded to date. HSE's Pesticide Incidents Appraisal Panel (PIAP) has so far considered 35 of these cases. It has confirmed links between the allegations of ill health and exposure to pesticides in two of the 35 cases and classified the link as 'likely' in a further 8 cases.

HSE Inspectors issued 47 enforcement notices under pesticide legislation during the year and a total of 37 informations (charges) were brought before the courts. The courts awarded conditional discharges in respect of 21 charges and adjourned proceedings sine die in a further 9. Seven convictions were secured for which the average fine imposed by the courts was £1,064. This compares with an average of £1,154 for 2000/01.

As in previous years, complaints from members of the public about spray drift from the application of agricultural pesticides represent the largest category of incidents investigated by HSE inspectors. Allegations that spraying has taken place in adverse weather conditions (generally when the wind speed is too high) and/or of failure to notify neighbours of an intended application, figure prominently and are the focus of some of the case studies. The case studies also include details of the first prosecution in Great Britain for failure to carry out a Local Environment Risk Assessment for Pesticides (LERAP) required so as to protect water and safeguard aquatic life forms.

Commenting on the report, Linda Williams, HM Chief Agricultural Inspector, said:

"A decrease, however small, in the number of complaints reported to and investigated by the HSE is encouraging. However, the figure varies a lot from year-to-year and was almost certainly affected by the reduced access to the countryside brought about by the Foot and Mouth outbreak last year. It is not therefore possible to detect any long-term trend.

"As in previous years, the majority of complaints are from members of the public about agricultural crop spraying. I strongly advise farmers to heed the requirement to carry out and record a LERAP risk assessment before spraying adjacent to watercourses. I would also encourage them to give prior notification of the intention to apply pesticides to the occupiers of land, houses and other premises close to the target crop. By giving prior notification and taking measures to minimise spray drift, users can do a great deal to allay the concerns of neighbours and members of the public about possible ill health effects from pesticides."

Notes to editors

1. Copies of the Pesticide Incidents Report 2001/02 are available from HSE.

2. Guidance for sprayers and other users of agricultural pesticides is contained in the 'Code of Practice for the Safe Use of Pesticides on Farms and Holdings' (The Green Code), published by the Department for Food, the Environment and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). This free publication, currently under review, provides detailed guidance on good working practice and practical advice on how to comply with the law.

3. Guidance to members of the public on how to report an incident if they think people, animals or the environment have been harmed by exposure to pesticides is included in a free HSE leaflet, INDG141(rev1) 'Reporting incidents of exposure to pesticides and veterinary medicines', available from HSE Books.

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