Phytosanitary prescription to minimize pesticide use risk on human and animal health and the environment at European level

Abstract

Incorrect, inappropriate or abusive use of plant protection products (PPPs) can lead to some serious problems for human and animal health, and the environment. It is well-known that global transition to sustainable food and agriculture will require major improvements in the efficiency of the resources used, in environmental protection and in systems resilience. This study aims, firstly, to revise the challenges of the primary production and the essential role of plant protection, together with a deep overview of the EU pesticide regulatory framework. Secondly, being the European framework one of the most advanced ones in the world, even in such scenario, in order to minimize pesticide use risk at European level, the study raises the need to establish a phytosnitary prescription for certain cases, subject to the figure of the Phytosanitary Prescriber. It would be a competent specialized technician with extensive training and technical intervention capacity specialized in plant health, with civil liability insurance and endorsed by a Professional Association. The Phytosanitary Prescriber would be a strategic figure and of great responsibility to achieve the sustainable use of PPPs, being responsible for diagnosis of the phytosanitary practice to be followed and the prescription and recipe for the dispensing of PPPs.