Consultation on proposed FSC pesticide derogation applications

The UKWAS Steering Group is facilitating a consultation by the UK certification bodies, Control Union, SGS Qualifor and Soil Association Woodmark, on behalf of FSC certificate holders.

The consultation concerns proposals for renewing derogations from the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) so as to permit the use of a small number of pesticides which are legal to use in the UK but are classed as highly hazardous by FSC so can only be used in FSC-certified woodlands if there are no practicable alternatives. Four chemicals which are considered by their users to be necessary for control of pests in the UK currently have derogations allowing their use but which expire in June 2014.

Certificate holders consider their continued use to be necessary and are submitting derogation applications to FSC for continued use of the following pesticides:
“Cypermethrin and Alpha-cypermethrin as a weevil control agent
“Aluminium phosphide as a rabit-gassing compound
“Warfarin as a rodenticide for control of grey squirrels.

How can I find out more?

A stakeholder meeting was held on Wednesday 13th November, 2013 in London where presentations were made on each derogation application to explain why a derogation is being sought.

The presentations, the consultation documents and the draft derogation applications are available for download here: www.ukwas.org.uk/documents

Invitation to comment

It is important to receive feedback from a full range of economic, environmental and social stakeholders and you are strongly encouraged to respond to this consultation exercise. Your input will ensure that full account is taken of all the important issues.

The consultation period starts on 2nd December 2013.

Please send your consultation response to ukwas@confor.org.uk by 17th January 2014.