Factors affecting the phase-out of pesticide use in public areas in Denmark.

Abstract

That pesticide use in public areas in Denmark has been significantly reduced during the period 1995 to 2002 is shown when comparing three surveys carried out by the Danish Forest and Landscape Research Institute (DFLRI) with funding from the Danish Environmental Protection Agency. During that period, the total registered public use of pesticides was reduced from 28.8 tonnes active ingredients to 6.3 tonnes, corresponding to a 78% reduction. In 2002, the Danish counties and state institutions had reduced their total pesticide use by 80% and 73%, respectively, compared to 1995 figures. Similarly, the Danish municipalities reduced their use by 83% from 1995 to 2002. Surveys of municipal pesticide use carried out in 1995, 2000 and 2002 have been used as the basis for determining the factors that have influenced municipal reductions of pesticide use. The 2000 and 2002 trends can be explained partly on the basis of the figures for 1995 use. The trend for 2002 can also be partially explained by the political parties in power in the municipalities during the phase-out period. The models used account for up to 30% of the total variations, meaning that the pesticide use of individual municipalities is very much influenced by other, non-definable factors such as tradition.