Optimizing the Choice of Active Ingredients Based on Their Ecotoxicity
Ecotoxicology is the study of the behavior and effects of pollutant agents on ecosystems.
Author:
| Julien Halska | INRA | julien.halska(at)grignon.inra.fr | Dijon (21) |
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Presentation
Characterization of the technique
Description of the technique:
The impact of plant protection products is mandatorily described on their packaging, on the ANSES online platform E-Phy, and in the ACTA index by the mention "Dangerous for the environment" and by the risk phrases numbered R50 to R59 according to the threatened environmental compartment (aquatic or non-aquatic, dangerous for game, birds, etc.).
To limit the impacts of treatments on the environment, it is therefore advised to choose as much as possible products with the most favorable ecotoxicological profiles.
Details on the technique:
Pay particular attention to specific mentions concerning the protection of bees and other insects pollinators.
Also to products with a high capacity for transfer to water near aquatic environments, or to air in sensitive areas.
Implementation period On established crop
Spatial scale of implementation Plot
Application of the technique to...
All crops: Easily generalizable
All soil types: Easily generalizable
All climatic contexts: Easily generalizable
Regulation
POSITIVE influence
These texts define the information, notably ecotoxicological, that must be provided to users:
Directive 1999/45/EC of 31 May 1999; decree of 20 April 1994 relating to classification, packaging and labeling of substances (last amended by the decree of 4 August 2005)
Effects on the sustainability of the cropping system
"Environmental" criteria
Effect on air quality: Increasing
Phytosanitary emissions: DECREASE
GHG emissions: NEUTRAL
Effect on water quality: Increasing
N.P.: NEUTRAL
Pesticides: DECREASE
Other: No effect (neutral)
Pollutant transfer to water (N, P, phyto ...): no effect (neutral)
Pollutant transfer to air (N, P, phyto ...): no effect (neutral)
Fossil energy consumption: no effect (neutral)
GHG release: no effect (neutral)
Biodiversity: Increase
This measure is beneficial for biodiversity. However, the effect of pesticides on ecosystems depends both on the nature of the products used and the degrees of exposure (environmental compartments in which the products or their metabolites are found, quantities, interactions with other pollutants). The proposed measure therefore constitutes a first approach.
"Agronomic" criteria
Productivity: Variable
The choice can be made between several products with similar efficacies, but can also result from a compromise between efficacy and ecotoxicological profile.
Soil fertility: Variable
If products least harmful to soil organisms are favored, an improvement in their beneficial actions on fertility can be expected.
Water stress: No effect (neutral)
Functional biodiversity: Increasing
Thanks to this measure, pressure on agricultural functional biodiversity can be limited.
"Economic" criteria
Operating costs: Variable
The effect on operating costs depends on the price difference between substituted products and substitute products.
Mechanization costs: No effect (neutral)
Margin: Variable
The effect on margin depends on the price difference between substituted products and substitute products.
"Social" criteria
Working time: No effect (neutral)
Effect on farmer health: Increasing
Observation time: No effect (neutral)
For more information
- Pesticides, agriculture and environment - Reducing pesticide use and limiting their environmental impacts - Aubertot J.N., J.M. Barbier, A. Carpentier, J.J. Gril, L. Guichard, P. Lucas, S. Savary, I. Savini, M. Voltz. INRA, Cemagref, Professional report, 2005. link to the expert report
Keywords
Bioaggressor control method: Chemical control
Mode of action: Rescue
Type of strategy regarding pesticide use: Efficiency
