Plant protection products are biologically active substances that control harmful organisms, but which may also have undesirable effects on non-target organisms, and hence on biodiversity in an ecosystem. To gauge the risk of plant protection products, two values are compared: the expected concentration in the various environmental compartments after application of PPP on the field (exposure), and the value for the sensitivity of the respective organisms in the ecosystem (ecotoxicity). The ecotoxicological effects are evaluated by experts at Agroscope based on the studies submitted by the companies. For less risky active substances, toxicity values determined in the laboratory with individual organisms are sufficient (worst-case approach). For higher-risk active substances, more-complex field studies designed to reflect reality more closely must be submitted by the company. This graduated approach is implemented to save on resources and animal testing. The assessment of the risks to beneficial insects and soil organisms in the treated areas is conducted according to guidelines and procedures corresponding to the EU and the EU Member States. The data requirements are specified by the EU.
Publications
EFSA PPR Panel (EFSA Panel on Plant Protection Products and their Residues), Ockleford C, Adriaanse P, Berny P, Brock T, Duquesne S, Grilli S, Hernandes-Jerez AF, Bennekou SH, Klein M, Kuhl T, Laskowski R, Machera K, Pelkonen O, Pieper S, Stemmer M, Sundh I, Teodorovic I, Tiktak A, Topping CJ, Wolterink G, Aldrich A, Berg C, Ortiz-Santaliestra M, Weir S, Streissl F and Smith RH (2018) Scientific Opinion on the state of the science on pesticide risk assessment for amphibians and reptiles. EFSA Journal 2018; 16: 5125, 301 pp. https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.5125
Aldrich A, Junghans M, Brühl C, Schmidt B (2016) Amphibien und Pflanzenschutzmittel. Aqua & Gas 4, 14-20.
Kontakt
