Why are pesticides banned overseas still used in Australia and what does it mean for the environment?

Experts says Australia’s approach to pesticide regulation is ‘incautious’ whereas the UK’s is influenced by the EU ‘precautionary principle’. Photograph: Dean Lewins/AAP

Environmental campaigners in the UK have expressed concern that a trade deal could result in the importation of Australian food that is produced with pesticides banned there.

The Australia-UK free trade agreement, which was signed last December, has been criticised in the UK as being too liberalised on pesticides. A bill to implement the trade deal has not yet been passed by the UK parliament.