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Elements for a proposed EC Directive on measures for reduction of impacts to health and environment from use of pesticides

October 1, 2000
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Establishment of national PPP use reduction programmes within three years:

  • Baseline year selected so as not to penalize those countries that have already achieved significant (at least 50%) pesticide use reductions since a pre-selected baseline period (DK, 1981-85; NL, 1984-88; SW, 1981-85)
  • Specific numerical targets designed to achieve progressively more stringent qualitative and quantitative reductions in overall pesticide use, e.g., 40% reduction in frequency of applications within 5 years, 50% within 8 years, 60% within 10 years
  • Specific numerical targets designed to achieve qualitative and quantitative reductions in pesticide use on specific crops
  • Specific numerical targets for amount of cultivated land in each Member State to be in biological agriculture (e.g., 15% in each MS in 5 years, 30% in 10 years) and in IPM/ICM
  • Regular review of pesticide use reduction programmes and adaptation as needed to meet the progressively more stringent targets
  • Mandatory national studies to determine the overall consequences (including economic benefits as well as costs) of a targeted reduction or a total phasing out of pesticides, e.g., based on existing studies and on the OECD work just initiated.

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