Designing the emerging EU pesticide policy: A literature review

Skevas, Theodoros; Lansink, A.G.J.M. Oude; Stefanou, Spiro E.

doi:10.1016/j.njas.2012.09.001

Cited by 76 publications

(65 citation statements)

References 57 publications

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“…Moreover, their efficiency faces pest resistance (Heap, 2014;Thieme et al, 2010) and consumers call for healthier food (Howard and Allen, 2010). This is leading to ever tighter regulations on their use (Skevas et al, 2013). Hence, programs have been set by governments of countries to reduce pesticide uses (DEFRA, 2013;MAP, 2008).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spatial diversification of agroecosystems to enhance biological control and other regulating services: An agroecological perspective

Hatt

Boeraeve

Artru

et al. 2018

Science of The Total Environment

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Spatial diversification of crop and non-crop habitats in farming systems is promising for enhancing natural regulation of insect pests. Nevertheless, results from recent syntheses show variable effects.One explanation is that the abundance and diversity of pests and natural enemies are affected by the composition, design and management of crop and non-crop habitats. Moreover, interactions between both local and landscape elements and practices carried out at different spatial scales may affect the regulation of insect pests. Hence, research is being conducted to understand these interdependencies.However, insects are not the only pests and pests are not the only elements to regulate in agroecosystems. Broadening the scope could allow addressing multiple issues simultaneously, but also solving them together by enhancing synergies. Indeed, spatial diversification of crop and non-crop habitats can allow addressing the issues of weeds and pathogens, along with being beneficial to several other regulating services like pollination, soil conservation and nutrient cycling. Although calls rise to develop multifunctional landscapes that optimize the delivery of multiple ecosystem services, it still represents a scientific challenge today. Enhancing interdisciplinarity in research institutions and building interrelations between scientists and stakeholders may help reach this goal. Despite obstacles, positive results from research based on such innovative approaches are encouraging for engaging 2 science in this path. Hence, the aim of the present paper is to offer an update on these issues by exploring the most recent findings and discussing these results to highlight needs for future research.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spatial diversification of agroecosystems to enhance biological control and other regulating services: An agroecological perspective

Hatt

Boeraeve

Artru

et al. 2018

Science of The Total Environment

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“…for biocontrol plant protection products. Total costs may reach 2-5 M€ with variable fees between Member States while evaluation of basic substances is free of charge (Skevas 2013;Marchand 2015).…”

Section: Approval Cost Feesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Basic and low-risk substances under European Union pesticide regulations: a new choice for biorational portfolios of small and medium-sized enterprises

Marchand¹

2018

Journal of Plant Protection Research

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Directive 2009/128/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 October 2009 established a framework for Community action to bring about the sustainable use of pesticides and encourage low concern biorationals. Basic substances described in article 23 of EC phytopharmaceutical Regulation No 1107/2009 consist of a new operative category for crop protection products with 16 substances approved so far. Another status, ruled by article 22 is also operative with 11 approved low-risk substances (see EU pesticide database). Now small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have the opportunity to register biorationals at the EU level in one of the two categories. Our institute previously provided technical expertise on how to complete the Basic Substance Application (BSA), together with a description of first results. However it is clear that there is a need for a shorter survey of the two parallel procedures for SMEs. Here we provide a concise sequence of the necessary steps for SMEs, including strategic approach, a rapid steps description, a timeframe for the global pathway, up to the final step, after approval by the Plants, Animals, Food and Feed Standing Committee (PAFF). We present in detail the advantages and limitations of the two statutes. The introduction of approved substances into organic farming is also discussed. Currently basic and low-risk substance pathways are now accessible for biorationals handled by SMEs. Therefore, the option is open for SMEs to seek a possibly low-risk active substances endorsement with market authorizations or a basic substance approval with no plant protection product claims depending on the selected strategy.

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“…In order to reduce pesticide use, the EU is expected to implement a tax scheme, and member states will be expected to adopt reduction targets (142). Skevas et al (142) summarized 27 studies from either the United States or the EU and concluded that pesticide demand is relatively inelastic in economic terms, meaning that pesticide use is relatively price-insensitive, and consequently proposed taxes likely would not have a major effect on pesticide use. They (143) conclude that pesticide quotas will be more effective in reducing pesticide use and decreasing adverse environmental consequences of pesticide use than taxes, even if they differentiate between high and low toxicity pesticides, price penalties on the environmental effects of pesticides, or subsidies on low-toxicity products.…”

Section: Key Regulatory Changes Regarding Pesticides 1963-2013mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Second, pesticide-use analysis can result in the conclusion that pesticides are underused from an economic perspective rather than overused. Skevas et al (142) summarized seven studies in the United States and the Netherlands that examined the economics of pesticide use; overuse of pesticides was only clearly indicated in two of the studies, and of those, overuse was justified in one study (5) because apple fruits required prophylactic protection. Third, some US government policies, such as price supports for particular crops, can discourage more sustainable practices, such as crop rotation, that decrease pesticide reliance and use (113).…”

Section: Integrated Pest Management In Theory and Practicementioning

confidence: 99%

Fifty Years Since Silent Spring

Epstein¹

2014

Annu. Rev. Phytopathol.

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Rachel Carson's 1962 Silent Spring exposed both observed and potential environmental and health externalities of the increasing organochlorine and organophosphate insecticide use in the United States post-World War II. Silent Spring was a critical component in a popular movement that resulted in increased regulation and the development of safer pesticides. Most changes in pesticide use in the global north have involved pesticide substitutions, although riskier pesticides remain in use. Many ideas in Silent Spring are compatible with the theory of integrated pest management (IPM), and IPM has been broadly embraced in the United States and internationally as a strategy for achieving least-use and/or least-risk pesticide use in agriculture. IPM is a politically feasible policy that purports to reduce pesticide use and/or risk in agriculture but often does not, except in extreme cases of pesticide overuse that result in negative agricultural/economic consequences for growers.

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Designing the emerging EU pesticide policy: A literature review

Cited by 76 publications

References 57 publications

Spatial diversification of agroecosystems to enhance biological control and other regulating services: An agroecological perspective

Spatial diversification of agroecosystems to enhance biological control and other regulating services: An agroecological perspective

Basic and low-risk substances under European Union pesticide regulations: a new choice for biorational portfolios of small and medium-sized enterprises

Fifty Years Since Silent Spring

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