Towards sustainable plant protection : Evaluation of the draft regulation on the sustainable use of plant protection products 2022/0196 (COD) with a focus on environmental protection / Susanne Bär, Saskia Knillmann, Sally Otto, Alexandra Müller, Michael Hess, Pia Kotschik, Konstantin Kuppe, Kaarina Foit, Nora Petzold, Steffen Matezki, Silvia Pieper, Jörn Wogram ; on behalf of the German Environment Agency ; publisher: Umweltbundesamt ; edited by: Section IV 1.3 Plant Protection Products Sally Otto, Saskia Knillmann, Susanne Bär, Alexandra Müller, Michael Hess and Pia Kotschik

Abstract

With the new draft regulation on the "Sustainable Use of Plant Protection Products" (SUR), the European Commission is concretising the pesticide reduction target of 50% by 2030 stipulated in the Farm-to-Fork Strategy. The legally binding implementation of integrated pest management sets a new course for sustainable agriculture. However, for the success of practical implementation to contribute to species conservation and to create resilient ecosystems in the agricultural landscape, further preconditions are necessary. This scientific opinion paper provides four major recommendations for action that are needed from an environmental perspective to achieve the envisaged objectives.