What are plant protection products?
Plant protection products are preparations intended to protect plants and also their products after harvesting. They are considered as pesticides, a group which also include bio-cides and antiparasitics for human and veterinary use.
For each pest or disease, proposals for the strategy on the use of plant protection products are indicated below. A list of active substances and bio-control agents is suggested for each pest or disease. When available, the critical Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) is also shown.
PHs (Pre-harvest interval) are indicated for:
- Compliance with European Maximum Limits(MRLs) currently in force on spinach including amaranthus spinach (on products exported into EU)
- Compliance with the CODEX MRL (for products sold in the countries where the DODEX MRLs are relevant)
- Special private standards, who allow harvested products without any quantifiable residues i.e with “0” residues taking into account European LOQ
Any change in one or more elements of these GAPs (increase in the doses, frequency of applications, Last application before harvest not respecting the recommended pre-harvest interval) can result in residues in excess of the MRL in force. These GAPs does not represent a treatment calendar to be applied as such. In practice, the frequency of treatments must take into account the severity of attacks and the real risks of local damage.
Plant protection products; The use of plant protection products is intended to:
- protect plants against all harmful organisms or prevent their action
- act on the life processes of plants (insofar as they are not nutrients)
- ensure the storage of plant products
- destroy undesirable plants
- destroy parts of plants, inhibit or prevent undesired growth of plants
Each formulation consists of one or more active substances responsible for the properties of the plant protection product and substances called co-formulants. These co-formulants give the product a form suitable for its application. They include anti-foaming agents, diluents and wetting agents.
Plant protection products; The issues
Having products that are safe, and whose performance has been assessed and conditions of use specified (taking into account progress in knowledge, diversity and any specific aspects of crop situations) is a major issue for farmers, consumers, industry and the environment. The use of plant protection products may cause direct or indirect risks to humans, whether this be the user or the general population, as well as to ecosystems.
Assessing pesticides before they can be placed on the market, and monitoring them post-authorisation, are vital to public and environmental health.
Recommended GAP:
- Dose g/ha
- Maximum number applications
- Minimum interval between applications(days)
Recommended GAP (pre-harvest interval days)
- EU MRL
- Codex MRL
- LOQ
Proposed application period:
- Preparation of soil
- Sowing
- Nursery
- Transplant to harvest
- First to final harvest
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