In 2001 the Government accepted proposals put forward by the farming and crop protection industry to minimise the environmental impacts from the pesticides. The programme was developed as an alternative to a pesticide tax which had been under consideration by the Government.

By 2006 the programme had met or exceeded the vast majority of its targets. In the light of this, the VI Steering Group proposed to Ministers that The Voluntary Initiative should continue as a rolling two year programme. These proposals were welcomed by the Government.

 

To find out more about the VI, visit their website. Please click here.