The protection of plants from pests and diseases is vital. So too is the future sustainability of pesticides. Dr Richard Stanley, principal agronomist at Campden BRI, explains

Pesticides have been used for many years to protect plants and plant products from pests, diseases and weeds, and to regulate the growth of plants.

According to Defra, the UK has a substantial crop protection industry. In 2006, sales of plant protection products were £388 million (€482m), representing 23,066 tonnes of active substances. Agricultural and horticultural uses accounted for 85 per cent of the value of sales and 80 per cent of the amount used, while garden, household, forestry and amenity uses accounted for the balance.

While careful use of pesticides can deliver substantial benefits to society, such as reducing losses or wastage and increasing the availability of good quality fruit and vegetables, their misuse can be harmful to living organisms and the environment. It is therefore important that appropriate measures are taken to minimise any risks associated with their use.

Regulatory framework

The use of pesticides has long been closely regulated, but crop production is entering an era in which pesticide availability will become more restricted. The regulatory framework has been changing in recent years with the result that pesticide usage is now subject to increasingly stricter, more stringent legislation.

The Sustainable Use Directive (2009/128) which came into force in 2012 will bring a number of staged changes up to 2020. Its the first substantive piece of EU legislation governing the way in which pesticides are used, and was introduced to bring a greater degree of harmonisation across the European unio.

A key feature of the ruling is the requirement for countries to develop National Action Plans to further reduce the risks associated with the use of pesticides and promote the use of low-input systems. Measures which should be included in National Action Plans include: training of users of pesticides; controls of sales; regular testing of equipment; protection of water courses, amenity and conservation areas; controls on handling, storage and disposal and promotion of low-pesticide input approaches.

In addition, 2011 saw the introduction of the Authorisation Regulation (1107/2009) which imposes further restrictions on the requirements that must be met when pesticides are approved for use. The objective of this regulation is to ensure that pesticide products authorised in the EU are safe for use and to minimise any potential impacts on human health and the environment.

UK overview

In response, the UK has introduced the Plant Protection Products (Sustainable Use) Regulations 2012 to bring into law the requirements of the European unio Directive for the Sustainable Use of Pesticides.

This new legislation brings into focus the need for the highest levels of product stewardship and professionalism, helping to ensure the sustainability of pesticides for the future.

The overall aim of the pesticides legislative framework is to achieve high standards of human and environmental protection against potential risks posed by pesticides while maintaining the economic viability of crop production and effective control of pests, weeds and diseases.

Specifically, the UK governments pesticides strategy aims to:

• Protect consumers by minimising risks from pesticides residues in food

• Protect users and workers by minimising exposure to pesticides

• Protect residents and bystanders by minimising exposure from spray operations

• Reduce water pollution caused by pesticides

• Reduce the impact of pesticides on biodiversity

• Establish best practice in the use of pesticides in the amenity sector

• Minimise the risk to users and the environment from amateur pesticide products

• Maintain the availability of sufficient methods of crop protection particularly for minor crops

(and also minor uses on major crops)

• Encourage the introduction of cost-effective alternative approaches and greater use

of integrated crop and pest management.

The statutory requirements in addition to the existing framework of voluntary controls on pesticide use mean that the UKs pesticides strategy is very robust. The standards that exist in the UK are already high and the statutory controls established by the Sustainable Use Directive will ensure that UK producers can compete on a level playing field with its European competitors.

Integrated Crop Management (ICM)

Current developments in the legislative control of crop protection chemicals, together with consumer-led concerns about sustainability of food production systems, have focused attention on integrated crop management (ICM) techniques that minimise pesticide use.

A key requirement of the Sustainable Use Directive is the adoption of more integrated pest and disease management systems by European Member States to comply with best practice requirements.

Integrated Crop Management (ICM) is a system of crop production that conserves and enhances natural resources while producing food in an economically viable and sustainable way. It combines the best of modern technology with some basic principles of good farming practice and is a whole farm, long-term strategy to avoid waste, enhance energy efficiency, minimise pollution and safeguard the environment.

Farmers and growers will need to adopt integrated approaches including using a number of different, preventative agronomic and non-chemical methods, and use fewer chemical pesticides to maintain yield, safety and quality of crops.

Accepted thresholds for raw material quality may need to be revised to accommodate the limitations of revised crop protection techniques, which may not prevent blemishes arising from pest and disease damage.

As a result, the appearance of some fruits and vegetables may be affected and retailers may have to stock more Class 2 products, as pesticides usage is restricted.

evaluating ICM strategies

Campden BRI is at the forefront of research into sustainable crop protection and is evaluating the effectiveness of ICM strategies.

A member-funded research project is currently underway to give the industry an improved ability to provide compliant raw materials when crop protection choices are restricted, as well as access to a reliable source of advice on emerging issues on crop production.

The project will identify opportunities for more widespread and effective adoption of ICM in field-grown vegetables and fruit – looking at pest and disease monitoring and thresholds, conventional product stewardship and the use of biological products and approaches.

Campden BRI is also evaluating the prospects for successful integration of conventional crop protection methods with strategies using more environmentally benign products and techniques that comply with changing legislation and meet environmental concerns.

More specifically, the project is looking at the impact of legislation on pesticide availability, effective ICM strategies, barriers to wider adoption of ICM and the influence of more extensive use of ICM on the quality of harvested commodities.

In addition, Camden BRI is evaluating selected ICM techniques in a number of field trials including researching the effectiveness of some biological pesticides. The intention is to develop crop-specific information and case studies to demonstrate best practice in ICM strategies.

These field trials complement a number of research projects that are currently underway across Europe which will encourage implementation of ICM in field crops. Campden BRI is also evaluating European research projects related to pesticide management and ICM and will use the findings to revise its own industry guidelines.

Knowledge transfer

A strong, scientific base with solid research behind it is critical to identifying the best strategies for sustainable crop protection. Research and development is essential and the transfer of vital knowledge among Member States and throughout the world is key to safeguarding the environment while ensuring good quality, affordable and viable foodstuffs.

Knowledge transfer is important to bring new technologies and techniques to farmers, growers and other professional users.

Campden BRI is actively involved in sharing and transferring this knowledge throughout the food industry, bridging the gap between companies and other projects being carried out in the research world to promote the best environmental practice.

Looking to the future

The control of pests and diseases in crops will become more challenging in the coming years as the legislative framework inevitably becomes more stringent.

Scientists and researchers are working to ensure that farmers, growers and the food industry as a whole have at their fingertips, access to the latest findings and valuable guidance on the most effective strategies for minimising pesticide usage and overcoming any potential challenges.