The Programme for the Reduction of Pesticides and Biocides
Pesticides and biocides have undeniably done the population a great service, insofar as they have made it possible to provide food that is free from toxic substances and pathogens which, in the past, wrought so much damage. However, the use of pesticides and biocides goes hand in hand with exposure to a large number of potentially hazardous products. The fear is that the large-scale use of these products is detrimental to human and environmental health. Therefore, it has become clear to everyone that, for safety's sake, both the professional and non-professional use of these substances, and the associated risks, must be limited.
At European level, the sixth version of the Environmental Action Programme (Decision No 1600/2002/EC (.PDF)) proposes reducing the effects of pesticides on human health and the environment.
As a consequence of this community-wide commitment, in 2006 a Thematic strategy on the sustainable use of pesticides was drawn up (http://europa.eu/legislation_summaries/internal_market/single_market_for_goods/chemical_products/l28178_en.htm). This strategy gave rise, among things, to the draft Framework Directive on the sustainable use of pesticides. The aim of the proposed directive is to regulate the use of pesticides in the European Union and, in this way, curtail the use of these substances and/or the associated risks. Importantly, the content of this legislation will be in tune with other legal texts designed to set strict rules for the marketing of pesticides. This is achieved by checks on the toxicity of these products and by issuing compulsory guidelines on their use. The proposal for the Framework Directive is being discussed by various European bodies, and particularly in the European Parliament and on the Council.
If this Framework Directive is approved, and all the signs are that it will be, by 2012 at the latest the Member States will have to draw up an action plan for reducing the use of pesticides (National Action Plan - NAP). The action plan will contain target figures.
Federal programme to reduce dependence on and the risks associated with pesticides and biocides
In Belgium, the law of 21 December 1998 (.PDF) on product standards to promote sustainable production and consumption patterns and to protect the environment and public health provides for a federal reduction programme, which must be updated every two years.
The first reduction programme (.PDF) for plant protection products for agricultural use and biocides was imposed by the Royal Decree of 22 February 2005. It covers the period 2005 to 2010 and was drawn up with the cooperation of all the players involved: the government at the various administrative levels, the professional organisations for the protection of consumers and the environment, and so on.
The first update (2007 - 2008 (.PDF)) takes stock of the first two years, specifies priority actions that must be taken during the forthcoming period and also contains a revision of the management structures for the programme. This update also fills in a few gaps in the original text.
The objective of the PRPB
The overriding objective of the PRPB is to reduce the environmental impact of pesticides for agricultural use by 25% in 2010 and to achieve a 50% reduction in other sectors on which approved pesticides and permitted biocides have an impact.
This objective must be achieved through various means, including concrete actions such as the separation of approvals, support for organic pesticides and the introduction of certificates permitting the professional use of plant protection products (see “Measures under the PRPB (HTML)”). This momentum must be supported by a large-scale behavioural shift, including with regard to eating habits, with an appropriate communication strategy to set the ball rolling.
Belgium wants to continue its policies beyond 2010, with due regard for the European legislation, by implementing its NAP following on from the PRPB.
Published on 16/03/2010 – Page last updated on 16/03/2010