News Crop protection
Chamber demands mandatory resource registration
If it is up to the House of Representatives, digital registration of plant protection products will become mandatory. In April, Minister of Agriculture Piet Adema already elaborated on this registration, which should take effect at the beginning of 2025. However, the MPs were not satisfied with the non-committal nature of this measure. A motion for an obligation was therefore passed.
In mid-April, Minister Adema published a letter about the Implementation Program Future Vision Crop Protection 2030. Part of this vision is also a digital registration of plant protection products. A project is currently underway on a 'digital crop protection monitor'. It must be taken into use at the end of January 2025.
Independent registration
D66 Member of Parliament Tjeerd de Groot and CDA Member of Parliament Derk Boswijk presented a motion to make this monitor mandatory. The motion was passed. It is mentioned, however, that the registration must be developed together with the sector – for growers and advisers – and that an independent authority must determine the use of plant protection products. At the moment, agricultural entrepreneurs themselves register which resources they use. This must therefore be done separately from the company in two years' time.
The ultimate aim of the registration obligation is to achieve zero emissions in Dutch surface water in accordance with the European Water Framework Directive. At this time finds the Association of Water Boards still has too high a concentration of plant protection products at half of all measuring locations. Zero emissions must be achieved in 2027.
Ban for private persons
These exceedances not only come from agriculture, but also from private individuals. That is why the Association of Water Boards is in favor of banning the use of plant protection products for private individuals altogether.
It remains to be seen whether things really go that fast with a digital registration requirement. In his latest letter, Minister Adema states that the original planning cannot be achieved. The Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality depends on the personnel and ICT capacity of various parties, including RVO. Are we looking at the (ICT) with a slanted eye?drama that has unfolded around the Combined Statement, then growers and advisors can have fun with the registration module.
New rules
It is not the only change that will affect the use of plant protection products in the near future. In February language Minister Adema has already expressed his ambition to separate sales and advice from resources. This is being discussed in the European Union, but no decision has yet been taken. Member States have sometimes done this on their own authority, as in France.
Work is also underway in Europe on the 'bee guidance', which is expected to be submitted this summer. Since 2013, EFSA has been working on this guideline for the authorization of PPPs in relation to bees and other pollinators. Also this summer, a subsidy scheme must be opened by LNV for projects that conduct research into alternatives to glyphosate.
Niels van der Boom
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