Toward a Better Knowledge of the Pesticides used by Municipality in Rural Society: Example of Limousin Region (France)

Abstract

A survey concerning pesticide uses by municipalities located in countryside areas, was carried out through inquiries submitted to 39 different municipalities representative of the Limousin area (France) except for Limoges city. The rate of answers was 72 % (28 municipalities). Extensive breeding of bovines and sheep represents the majority of agricultural practices in this area. The objective of this investigation to highlight the operational pesticides uses among different municipalities. The main results showed the use of a large number of different commercial products (61, representing 46 active molecules) as well as the intensive use of herbicides such as Glyphosate. Compared to the usual regional agricultural uses in Limousin, the part of Dichlobénil, Diuron, Isoxaben and Diflufénicanil used by the municipalities could be strong. The municipalities usually try to comply with the safety requirements regarding pesticide uses but the need for preventive actions such as the training of municipality workers as well as informations regarding alternative weeding techniques is required. Moreover, due to the relatively low permeability of the treated surfaces, the discharge of pesticides by water runoff can be significant and thus can contribute significantly to the pollution of the natural aquatic environments or the water resources for water supply.