UK mulls PSD/HSE merger

The UK Pesticides Safety Directorate (PSD) should merge with another regulator to boost efficiency. This conclusion comes from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) following the 2005 Hampton Review report. The Hampton review of inspection and enforcement recommended that the government should consider merging smaller regulatory bodies into larger thematic regulators.

 

The DEFRA suggests merging the PSD with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). The HSE's role focuses on health and safety in the workplace, including on farms. It took over responsibility from the PSD for the registration of non-agricultural pesticides in 2001. The HSE is also the competent UK authority under the EU biocidal products Directive (98/8), dealing with biocide registrations, as well as the competent authority for the EU Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals (REACH) Regulation. The HSE has a biocides and pesticides unit with around 40 staff.

 

The DEFRA's consultation document bases the choice on "clear regulatory science and technical policy synergies that exist between the two organisations". The DEFRA views the potential move as the "preferred solution" to simplify the bodies' enforcement and inspection roles as well as to increase customer focus. Another benefit cited is combining chemical regulatory science and expertise in one organisation at a low risk.

 

The planned changes would not alter the PSD's main role. The agency employs just under 180 staff. In its current function, the PSD: controls pesticide use in agriculture, horticulture and gardens; monitors the use of pesticides and acts against illegal use; advises authorities on pesticide policy; supports safety reviews of pesticides on the market; contributes to standardised pesticide regulation with the EU; and co-ordinates research and development in addition to handling approvals. "The proposition under consideration is an organisational change, not a change in either policy of pesticide regulation or service offering of the PSD," the DEFRA says.

 

The DEFRA has asked stakeholders for comment. These players include agrochemical firms BASF, Bayer CropScience and Certis as well as a number of other EU regulators. The deadline for replies is January 14th 2008.