Integrated Analytical Approaches to Assess Indicators of the Effectiveness of Pesticide Management Practices at a Catchment Scale

Global outcomes and impact:

On analytical methodology:
1. Analytical capability by the laboratories has now been recognised by the stakeholders resulting in requests for seeking advice and feedback.
2. The laboratory analytical network facilitated the inter-laboratory proficiency testing in most participating countries.
3. The laboratory analytical network provided a platform to identify areas of improvement necessary for enhancing food and environmental safety. These have been shared with decision makers responsible for risk management.
4. In Southern China the monitoring strategy refined during the project has now been adopted by the National Water Monitoring Program.

On biomonitoring:
5. The biomonitoring database facilitated the adaptation and/or development of biomonitoring indices to local catchments.
6. The biomonitoring approach facilitated local community involvement and enhanced managing water quality .
On modelling:
7. Results from the CRP have allowed a development of a novel concept to enhance the utility of the risk indicator “PIRI” posterior to chemical monitoring such as through passive samplers
8. The reliability and quality of the model input parameters on environmental fate of pesticides was enhanced through the use of nuclear technology.

On outreach:
9. National networks with stakeholders for food and environmental safety of pesticides were strengthened and some participating laboratories have now been invited to the catchment management panels.
10. The manual of safe pesticide use and the so called triple wash programme was endorsed by multiple stakeholders (e.g. CuidAgro) resulting in increasing success of the programme.
11. Stakeholder’s and scientific community awareness of indicators of pesticide management practices was enhanced through project activities such as open days.
12. The integration of erosion measurements, drift assays, biomonitoring characterization allowed a more reliable interpretation of project results and more effective engagement with stakeholders.

On risk Management:
13. The assessment of indicators for the effectiveness of pesticide management practices has contributed to more effective and targeted campaigns on the safe use of pesticides and personal protective equipment to minimise occupation exposure in participating countries.
14. Pesticides environmental risk (obtained through PIRI) as feedback to stakeholders has resulted in changes of the management practices, for example
• Chile – Based on the risk assessment, some growers adopted buffer zones, cover crops and used mulching to reduce soil loss as well as covering their waterways to protect them from drift incursions.
• Ecuador – growers changed their application method from tractor based sprayers to backpacks in order to minimise drift of pesticides.
• Brazil – Brazil developed a new project aiming at identifying the best schedule for pesticide application with low environmental risk for Sigatoka control
• Southern China: risk assessment data have been transmitted to the local EPA that is responsible for risk management, and as a result some of the pesticides are being phased out in vegetable production systems, e.g. chlorpyrifos, dimethoate, parathion, malathion, and dichlorvos.