Advisory Groups
These groups provide advice, to PSD and others, on a range of issues relating to pesticides.
The Advisory Committee on Pesticides (ACP)
This is an independent Scientific Advisory Committee providing advice to Ministers and regulatory departments on any matters relating to the control of pests. Appointments to the Committee are made by Ministers, following open competition. Most members are appointed for their specialist expertise and there are also two lay members.
Pesticide Residues Committee (PRC)
The independent Pesticide Residues Committee was established in 2000, replacing the Working Party on Pesticide Residues (WPPR). The Committee advises Ministers and the Chief Executives of the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and the Pesticides Safety Directorate (PSD) on the monitoring programme for pesticide residues in food and drink.
Pesticides Forum
Established in 1996, the Pesticides Forum continues to bring together a range of organisations with an interest in the use of pesticides and their impact on the environment. The Forum's remit is to support Government policy on responsible use, which aims for the reduction of impacts on the environment, whilst providing adequate protection for crops.
Resistance Action Groups
The Resistance Action Groups are informal, UK-based groups consisting of experts from the Crop Protection Association (CPA) member companies, a range of independent organisations and PSD. The groups are completely independent of PSD and work to produce guidance on pesticide resistance issues. There are four autonomous groups dealing with issues relating to weeds, fungicides, insecticides and rodenticides.
