Abstract
Loosely integrated and incomplete policy networks have been neglected in the literature. They are important to consider in terms of understanding network underperformance. The effective delivery and formulation of policy requires networks that are not incomplete or underperforming. The biopesticides policy network in the United Kingdom is considered and its components identified with an emphasis on the lack of integration of retailers and environmental groups. The nature of the network constrains the actions of its agents and frustrates the achievement of policy goals. A study of this relatively immature policy network also allows for a focus on network formation. The state, via an external central government department, has been a key factor in the development of the network. Therefore, it is important to incorporate such factors more systematically into understandings of network formation. Feedback efforts from policy have increased interactions between productionist actors but the sphere of consumption remains insufficiently articulated.
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Notes
A Google search brings up references to a pesticides sector. See, for example, http://www.pan-uk.org/Images/oldstyle/books/pestsapp.htm, accessed 27 March 2009).
This was held at Warwick HRI. For more information, see http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/soc/pais/biopesticides/events.
REBECA stands for the ‘Regulation of Environmental Biological Control Agents’.
REACH stands for the ‘Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemical Substances’.
For example: the various assurance schemes such as Nature's Choice from Tesco. The standard was developed to ensure that produce comes from growers who use good agricultural practices, operate in an environmentally responsible way and with proper regard for the health and well being of their staff. It was first introduced in 1991 to control chemical usage and develop environmentally sustainable production standards for Tesco's growers, see http://www.tescofarming.com/tnc.asp.
The public may be concerned about pesticide residues but they are not well informed about biological alternatives (and may be put off by the term biopesticides). Further research would be useful on public opinion perhaps through the use of focus groups and citizen's juries.
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Acknowledgements
The authors thank Carsten Daugbjerg and Darren Halpin for their helpful comments on earlier drafts and also the Rural Economy and Land Use programme (RELU) for funding their research on the role of regulation in promoting biological alternatives to chemical pesticides.
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Greaves, J., Grant, W. Underperforming policy networks: The biopesticides network in the United Kingdom. Br Polit 5, 14–40 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1057/bp.2009.15
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/bp.2009.15