The National Farmers' Union has accused the Co-operative Group of overstepping the mark after it announced a ban on suppliers using 20 types of pesticides. A spokeswoman for the NFU said only three types of pesticide on the Co-op's banned list had full approval in the UK anyway. A further three of the 20 are due for withdrawal. She said: "This is another instance of a supermarket trying to set itself up as a regulator. The UK safety directorate issues strict guidelines on pesticides. "Farmers want to reduce the use of pesticides anyway as they are an expensive option." The Co-op has been negotiating with suppliers for the past 18 months on the implementation of the pesticides ban ­ suppliers outside the EU may have access to 11 of the 20 pesticides. It has lined up a further 30 types of pesticides for all suppliers to drop in future. The pesticide ban comes as the Co-op steps up its efforts to support organics. Later this month it is planning to publish a report pressing the government to develop a clear strategy on organics. A spokesman said: "The UK may lead the world on organic standards, but the government has a long way to go on strategy. Organic farmers need proper incentives." In another pro organic initiative three Co-operative Group stores will carry posters relating to products such as Italian peaches with slogans such as "I'm small and perfectly formed, but legally you can't buy me." This refers to the EU classification which decrees fruit must be 55mm in diameter. The Co-op claims this discriminates against organic products such as peaches, which may not achieve the required size. Undersize peaches will be on sale in the three Co-op stores and customer reaction would be gauged. {{NEWS }}

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