DAERA encourages farmers and growers to take part in the 2025 Pesticide Usage Monitoring Programme
Date published:
DAERA has reminded farmers and growers across Northern Ireland of the closing dates for the return of the Pesticide Usage Monitoring Surveys.
Whilst taking part is entirely voluntary, the survey provides helpful information, to DAERA, which ensures that future decisions, policies, and support reflect the real pesticide needs and practices of Northern Ireland’s agricultural and horticultural sector. Please note that the collection of this data is not related to the recent publicity on the new Plant Protection Product (PPP) record-keeping obligations.
The surveys are delivered by the Agri‑Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI), and the 2025 programme, which covers Grassland and Fodder Crops, Vegetables, and Edible Protected Crops, is now underway.
Farmers and growers are selected through a random sample and they will receive, or will have already received, a letter from AFBI requesting details of their plant protection product usage during the 2025 growing season.
Selected Grassland and Fodder Crop growers should return the survey form, provided by 31 January 2026.
Vegetable and Edible Protected Crop growers have until 28 February 2026 to make their returns.
All participants will have received a stamped, addressed envelope which should be used to make their return.
In some cases, AFBI surveyors will follow up by telephone to gather more detailed information where needed. AFBI contact details will be included in all correspondence for anyone with questions or requiring support completing the survey.
Don’t forget that participation is voluntary, however, returning the survey information will be very helpful. All data collected is anonymized and aggregated before being published in the final report. Individual farm details are not published.
For further information and resources please visit the AFBI website or email: pesticide.usage@afbini.gov.uk.
Notes to editors:
- The Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) is an executive Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB), sponsored by DAERA.
- Pesticides are used to protect crops against harmful pests and diseases or to control weeds. Examples include insecticides, fungicides, herbicides, molluscicides, and plant growth regulators.
- Assimilated Regulation (EC) 1185/2009 concerning statistics on pesticides requires DAERA to gather data on active substances used on specific crops.
- This work is also undertaken in England and Wales by FERA Science Ltd (FERA) and in Scotland by Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture (SASA). Pesticide usage reports from these regions may be obtained at the following sites:
(https://pusstats.fera.co.uk/home)
(https://www.sasa.gov.uk/pesticides/pesticide-usage/pesticide-usage-survey-reports)
- The Pesticide Usage Survey programme has been undertaken since 1990. Since 2010 the surveys have followed a biennial cycle with arable, potato storage, soft fruit and orchards being conducted in even years (2010, 2012, 2014, 2016 etc.) and outdoor vegetable and edible protected crops in odd years (2011, 2013, 2015, 2017 etc.). Surveys of grassland & fodder crops (last survey 2021) are conducted every four years.
- The surveys support DAERA’s legal requirements under the Sustainable Use Directive (2009/128/EC) and underpin our UK Pesticides National Action Plan, in that they supply data for monitoring pesticide use patterns and crop specific trends which in turn support risk-reduction goals.
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- All media queries should be directed to the DAERA Press Office: pressoffice.group@daera-ni.gov.uk or telephone: 028 9016 3460.
- The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours’ service for media enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.