Denmarks action plans for pesticides -status and role of research Lise Nistrup Jørgensen, Danmarks JordbrugsForskning Forskningscenter Flakkebjerg

Pesticide action plan Reduce used amount by half Reduce treatment frequency by half Reevaluation of all old pesticides Reduction should be stimulated by recommendation from advisors and scientist

Treatment Frequency Index in Danish agriculture TFI

Treatment frequency index in different crops 1997

Treatment frequency index in cereals in DK 1997

Treatment frequency index in broad leaved crops in DK 1997

TFI per ha on different farm types on clay soil TFI Behandlingshyppighed

Changes in area grown with winter wheat and spring barley 1000 ha Year

TFI/dose with fungicides in wheat

Pesticide action plan Reevaluation of pesticides 180 active ingredients reevaluated 45 did not apply for reevaluation 20 failed to full fill data requirements 21 were restricted in their use 27 were prohibited or withdrawn by companies 56 got a new registration

Pesticide action plan Introduced tax on pesticides in weeks training of all staff applying pesticides (> have the certificate) 2 days course for all farmers spraying on own farm (all farmers) Obligatory record keeping of all sprayings Random check on sprayers

Status on the first action plan Active ingredients reduces by almost 50% TFI only reduced slightly (-6%) Increase in crops with high TFI. If that is corrected for then reduction has been 22% RE-evaluation has been successful and is expected to reduce pesticides in ground water Wish for further reforms in regulations due to findings of pesticides in ground water

Tax on pesticides % tax introduced, % tax on herbicides and fungicides % tax on insecticides Expected to reduce use by 5-10% 1998 tax has been doubled. –54% insecticides –33%fungicides+herbicides

Driving force for stopping use of pesticides Pesticides in ground water. The policy is to close wells not to clean water. 5% of public wells have higher concentrations than 0.1 ug/l. 13% of filters from ground water (517) have shown higher values than 0.1ug/l Out of 40 analysed a.i and metabolites 29 have been found in concentrations above 0.1 ug/l

Bichel committee Sept.1997-April 1999 Investigate the consequences of a partly and total phasing out of pesticides –for agriculture –for economy and employment –for environment and health –for legislation Create the background for a new action plan

Different scenarios for phasing out pesticides was investigated Present productionPresent production 0-scenario0-scenario 0+ scenario (nearly total stop-only use to keep up phytosanitary laws)0+ scenario (nearly total stop-only use to keep up phytosanitary laws) +scenario (restricted use, approximately 80% reduction)+scenario (restricted use, approximately 80% reduction) ++scenario (optimised use, approximately 30-50% reduction)++scenario (optimised use, approximately 30-50% reduction)

Relation between TFI and Income for farmers per ha TFI Behandlingshyppighed Dkk/ha +-scenario ++scenario

Percent direct crop loss in a 0-pesticide scenario % crop loss

Treatment frequency for different farm types on clay

Treatment frequency based on trials from Køge Ringsted trial

Experiences from erfa-groups in West jutland 1998 CropBI winter wheat: 1,3 on 1353 ha winter barley:1,3 on 358 ha winterrye:0,6 on 286 ha spring barley:1,0 on 825 ha peas:1,4 on 348 ha

Treatment Frequency Index in Danish agriculture TFI

Bichel committee recommend: Research in none chemical control methods –population dynamic in different cropping systems –preventive methods using cultural methods –mechanical weed control –improved disease control through host resistance –alternative methods for control of seed born diseases

Bichel committee recommend: Research in pesticide related control: –continues development of warning and decisions support systems (agriculture and horticultural crops) –improving cultivation methods combined with band spraying –Use of precision methods using GPS –intensified focus on application technique and handling of pesticides –minimising pesticide contamination in food

Bichel committee recommendation for the advisory system Focus on dissemination of information from research to farmers Improving existing prognoses and warning systems on a national and regional basis Establishing demonstrations farms to illustrate plant protection problems at different control levels and in different cropping systems Educating farmers to use decision support systems e.g. through Internet Establishing of ERFA-groups with focus on low pesticide input

Improving of existing decision support systems- PC-Planteværn Diseases: –Adjusting of dosages in relation to host resistance and yield responses –Adjusting of models for septoria, net blotch and rhynchosporium. –Development of weather dependent riskmodels –PC-Planteværn in rye and triticale –Mmodel to cope with fungicide mixtures

Warning system for wheat mildew (registreringsnettet)

Alternative none chemical methods- disease control Improved use of resistant varieties.Improved use of resistant varieties. Dependent on varieties from abroadDependent on varieties from abroad Big potential in resistant breeding,Big potential in resistant breeding, –with in 10 years still no varieties with total resistance to all diseases –GMO plants limited effect within the next 10 years, long term effect uncertain –Alternative methods can minimise attack

Stinking Bunt Big potentiale for quick build up Seed born diseases

Decision support system Weed control Improving the programImproving the program developing the program to new cropsdeveloping the program to new crops Adjusting the models to new productsAdjusting the models to new products Develop recommendation which combine alternative and mechanical methodsDevelop recommendation which combine alternative and mechanical methods Develop precision methods for weed control using GPSDevelop precision methods for weed control using GPS

Alternative none chemical methods Weed control Necessary to combine preventive and mechanical methodsNecessary to combine preventive and mechanical methods –using crop rotation, time of sowing, competing crops, competing varieties,etc Trial results have shown that mechanical weed control is possible in nearly all cropsTrial results have shown that mechanical weed control is possible in nearly all crops Mechanical weed control has its limitations in unreliable weather, poor crop stand, uneven soil etcMechanical weed control has its limitations in unreliable weather, poor crop stand, uneven soil etc

Alternative none chemical methods- weed control Potential for improving the present mechanical methodsPotential for improving the present mechanical methods Potential for finding alternative solution for manuel weeding.(robot etc)Potential for finding alternative solution for manuel weeding.(robot etc) Investment in new machineryInvestment in new machinery Need for education of farmers in mechanical methodsNeed for education of farmers in mechanical methods

Spot with poppies

Weed map and patch spraying

Improving of existing recommendation models for control of pests Development, testing and implementation of population dynamical control models –aphids in cereal –pests in rye, triticiale, oat, spring wheat and maize –leaf beetles in cereal –blossom beetle and other pests in rape

Alternative methods to control of pest Host plant resistance against insecticides Development of intercropping systems, which makes it less likely for the pests to recognise the host Optimising of naturally occurring mechanisms which will help to minimise the pest populations

Reduction of pesticides residues in food Reduction of pesticides residues in Danish plant products –Minimising pesticide use in horticultural crops using a combination of alternative methods and pesticides –Investigating the possibility to improve GAP through efficacy trials using low dosages and extended period from spray to harvest

Conclusion Action plans has had impact on farmers perception on the use of pesticides. Still most farmers ensure their crop with pesticides beyond an economical optimal Reductions beyond ++scenarium requires considerable changes of common crop practise. Need to reduce input with herbicides requires the use of a combination of cultural practises and mechanical weed control Pesticide tax and low grain prices has reached a level where it hurts.