Pesticide risk assessment to protect aquatic systems

Abstract

Directive 91/414/CEE (1991), concerning the placing on the market of plant protection products, states evaluation criteria to assure that no harmful effect on human or animal health and no unacceptable influence on the environment occur after pesticide use. Pesticide movement to surface waters is an area of concern in many European countries where regular use of pesticides is an integral part of crop management. Such pesticide losses can be rapid and can result in contamination of water bodies and may cause environmental damage. An appropriate ecotoxicological risk assessment, including aquatic risk, is one of the main objectives of authorisation directive. In this paper the pesticide risk assessment scheme to protect aquatic systems in the framework of Directive 91/414/CEE is presented. © 2006 Springer.