LANDOWNERS and farmers have urged the government against taking hasty action in response to the report published by the Royal Commission on Environment Pollution.

Mark Hudson, president of the Country Land and Business Association, said: "The Royal Commission's report is right to call for rigorous updated scientific data on what CLA believe is the very limited incidence of spray drift from the use of pesticides. However, we hope that Defra will now fully digest the report and form their conclusions when the data is available.

"The number of incidents and their geographical extent is limited and we believe targeted practical solutions should be considered before a blanket approach, such as buffer strips across the nation."

He said the CLA saw no evidence to extend buffer strips beyond the two-metre strip already required under CAP cross-compliance rules and he urged the government not to be panicked into a knee-jerk reaction.

"Pesticides are safe when correctly used," Mr Hudson stressed. "The UK's regulatory system is the most robust and comprehensive in the world. The CLA is part of the voluntary initiative which is pushing forward best practice."