PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
Pesticides applied to crops can enter soil and surface waters and percolate down into groundwater. This can lead to biodiversity loss in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, particularly of insect species not targeted by the pesticides. Pollination, the formation and composition of soil, and drinking water quality can all suffer as a result. Pesticide residues in food may also pose a risk to human health while residues in animal feed can both harm the animals and enter the food chain. Particular concerns have been raised about the health impacts of human exposure to pesticides with endocrine-disrupting properties and the associated costs to human health.
According to Eurostat, some 400 000 tonnes of pesticides were sold in the EU in 2014, with the largest markets being Spain, France and Italy. The best-selling pesticides were fungicides and bactericides. The EU Directive on Sustainable Use of Pesticides seeks to reduce the risks and impacts of pesticide use on human health and the environment. It also aims to promote the use of integrated pest management and of alternative approaches or techniques, such as non-chemical alternatives to pesticides. EU Member States have drawn up national actions plans to implement the Directive.
OBJECTIVES
WASTE4GREEN tested the effectiveness of two pesticides made from agro-industrial byproducts in protecting stone fruit crops on an area of 1.67 ha. By replacing pesticides of chemical origin, it aimed to mitigate adverse effects on the environment and human health, proving that the two bioactive formulates are less toxic than conventional ones. The project tried to show that the new formulates were effective against the pests and target diseases of stone fruit trees and that they could be used for other crops and in other EU countries. Further predicted benefits included improved food safety through residue-free fruit and positive impacts on biodiversity and climate change. The latter stages of the project focused on commercialisation of the pesticide formulates.
This LIFE project supported the implementation of EU chemical policy, including both the Sustainable Use of Pesticides Directive and REACH. It also helped achieve the goals of the 7th Environment Action Programme and the Roadmap to a Resource Efficient Europe and supports the agri-environment measures of the EU Common Agricultural Policy.
RESULTS
The project developed two biopesticide formulations from agroforestry waste products, to fight against pests and diseases in stone fruit crops. Their toxicological and ecotoxicological characteristics have been assessed at laboratory scale and then tested in the field throughout two agronomic campaigns, both at an experimental farm in Valencia and at a real-scale farm in Portugal and Italy. Furthermore, the formulations were replicated in a different crop (tomato) in Extremadura. Overall, the results achieved showed levels of efficacy similar to the chemical phytosanitary products commonly used against the most common pests and diseases. However, these positive results could not be confirmed during the second agronomic campaign due to the adverse meteorological conditions. Therefore, additional tests in different conditions are needed to verify the results achieved and to ensure the continuation of the project through the registration and future commercialisation of the developed products.
