PRESS RELEASE
7th July 2009
PESTICIDES APPEAL RULING IS VICTORY FOR COMMON SENSE
The Court of Appeal today ruled unanimously in favour of Defra in its appeal against the judgment handed down in the pesticide spraying case brought by Georgina Downs in November 2008. On handing down the judgement the presiding judge also confirmed that Ms Downs would not be granted the right to appeal to the House of Lords in this case.
The Crop Protection Association (CPA) has welcomed the Court of Appeal ruling as a victory for common sense.
“Crop protection products are essential to maintain an adequate supply of high quality, affordable food,” said CPA chief executive Dominic Dyer. “Without pesticides to keep weed, pest and disease pressures in check, crop yields would fall by around a third – something we can ill afford at a time of heightened concern about food security and population growth.
“Today’s ruling provides welcome recognition that current regulations, based on the best available scientific evidence and supported by industry-wide stewardship programmes such as the Voluntary Initiative, ensure that pesticides can be used safely and effectively in the farmed environment.
“We will now read the full judgment in detail, and will continue to work with Government and our industry partners to promote responsible stewardship and best practice in all areas of pesticide use,” said Mr Dyer.