National Action Plan for the Sustainable Use of Plant Protection Products

NATIONAL ACTION PLAN FOR THE SUSTAINABLE USE OF PLANT PROTECTION PRODUCTS ESTABLISHMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION REVISION 1 PROGRAMME 2018-2023 LISBON, 2018 Preamble Plant protection currently constitutes a major challenge in light of the growing pressure exerted by pests and disease, as a consequence of climate change and extreme climate phenomena, the globalisation of trade in goods and increased movements by persons, coupled with the reduction in the chemical methods available and combat these and the ever increasing demand from consumers for food quality and safety and environmental protection. The use of plant protection products is a necessity as they constitute important and essential tools for organic production and conventional agriculture and for plant health protection in the wild. It is extremely important to implement measures and actions that will enable the sustainable use of these products, ensuring that they are used more effectively and efficiently as part of an overall package of agricultural practices geared towards the economic sustainability of our farmers and forestry producers and to improving the development of rural territories while at the same time safeguarding the quality and safety of our foodstuffs. The aim in revising the National Action Plan for the Sustainable Use of Plant Protection Products (PANUSPF, Plano de Ação Nacional para o Uso Sustentável de Produtos Fitofarmacêuticos) is to reinforce preventive crop protection measures, increasing integrated pest management and production practices, promoting innovative and competitive agriculture and silviculture to slow the decline of the rural population and generate employment while at the same time protecting the natural environment, water resources and the diversity of fauna and flora. The aim is also to promote a series of measures to help increase food self-sufficiency in Portugal, reducing our dependence on external sources for the basic components of our diet, and combining plant protection with integrated policies to protect the soil, water and living organisms, particularly pollinating insects. This revised plan, to be implemented over the next five years, continues to focus on training for users of plant protection products, but also aspires to increase levels of knowledge among the general public about the process of producing high quality food safely – Comunicando Agricultura ('Communicating Agriculture'). The goal is to reinforce integrated pest management measures, update and promote knowledge and disseminate best agricultural practice in the interests of improving plant protection in a manner that respects the environment and corresponds to consumer demands, enhancing control, surveillance and monitoring programmes for pesticide residues in foodstuffs, acquired resistance and acute and chronic effects derived from the use of plant protection products. A number of public bodies and private organisations will be involved in the implementation of this Plan, but the determining factor will be the commitment and know-how of those who feed humanity: the farmers themselves. Paula Cruz de Carvalho, Head of the Subdirectorate-General for Food and Veterinary Matters Contents 1. Introduction .............................................................................................................................................. 2 2. Implementation of the National Action Plan – 2018-2023 – for the Sustainable Use of Plant Protection Products 4 2.1. Cross-cutting axis 1 - Research, innovation and technology transfer ..................................................................... 5 2.2. Cross-cutting axis 2 – Training, awareness-raising and information ...................................................................... 8 2.2.1. Training and occupational qualifications in the sustainable use of plant protection products .................... 8 2.2.2. Information and awareness-raising for users of plant protection products. .............................................. 12 2.2.3. – Awareness-raising among consumers and the general public .............................................................. 14 2.3. Strategic axis 1: Protection of human health ........................................................................................................ 16 2.3.1. Protection of consumers .......................................................................................................................... 17 2.3.2. Protection of professional users ............................................................................................................... 21 2.3.3. Protection of users of plant protection products authorised for non-professional use ............................. 23 2.3.4. Protection of third parties, including vulnerable groups ........................................................................... 25 2.4. Strategic axis 2: Protection of the environment .................................................................................................... 29 2.4.1. Protection of water resources .................................................................................................................. 30 2.4.2. Protection of habitats and biodiversity ..................................................................................................... 35 2.5. Strategic axis 3: Promotion of sustainable agricultural and forestry production systems ..................................... 38 2.5.1. Adopting general principles on integrated pest management .................................................................. 38 2.5.2. Promoting the adoption of production methods that involve the low use of chemical products. ............ 43 2.5.3. Providing protection methods to boost the competitiveness of agricultural and forestry production. ....... 44 2.5.4. Promoting the responsible marketing and use of plant protection products. ........................................... 47 3. Implementation of the monitoring and supervision activities to ensure compliance with the objectives laid down in the National Action Plan. .................................................................................................................................. 50 Annex I – Working Group ........................................................................................................................... 55 Annex II – Representatives of the various bodies making up the Working Group responsible for drafting the National Action Plan for the Sustainable Use of Plant Protection Products ............................................................. 57 Annex III - Competent Bodies .................................................................................................................... 59 Annex IV Glossary ..................................................................................................................................... 61 2 1. Introduction This document presents the operational component of the National Action Plan (Revision 1) for the five-year period 2018– 2023, which draws on the report on the implementation of the first National Action Plan for the Sustainable Use of Plant Protection Products for the five-year period 2013–2018. This revised National Action Plan for 2018–2023 largely maintains the areas and objectives set out in Law No 26/2013, which regulates the distribution, sale and application of plant protection products for professional use and their adjuvants and defines procedures for monitoring the use of such products, as amended by Decree-Law No 35/2017 of 31 July 2017 and Decree-Law No 86/2010 of 15 June 2010 establishing the mandatory inspection scheme governing application equipment for plant protection products authorised for professional use, both of which transpose Directive 2009/128/EC into national law. This National Action Plan – Revision 1 – for the five-year period 2018–2023 aims to carry on implementing the the continuity measures started during the lifespan of the first PANUSPF and to include objectives of maintaining high levels of human and environmental protection against potential risks associated with plant protection products while taking account of the economic viability and sustainability of agricultural production and effective pest control. However, because certain measures and actions implemented over the five-year period 2013–2018 achieved the results and objectives sought, these have now been replaced with other measures and actions of greater relevance for this new five-year period. Various challenges arising out of the way the PANUSPF 2013-2018 was devised meant that certain measures and actions were not implemented: these will accordingly need to be discussed further under the PANUSPF 2018-2023 with a view to either their actual implementation or their abandonment because of their lack of relevance to the series of measures and actions to be pursued. This is also an opportunity to reiterate that successful achievement of the objectives set out as part of this PANUSPF 2018-2023 will depend in particular on the involvement and shared responsibility of the partners in ensuring that all of the actions and measures to be carried out are effectively implemented and monitored. We would also reiterate that the effective promotion of viable agriculture – including the sustainable use of plant protection products and adequate human health and environmental protection – requires investment and enhanced implementation of the existing legal system and the effective application of standards and guidelines produced by the competent bodies, i.e. the environmental authorities, the national plant health authority, regional and local agricultural and environmental departments and farm support structures existing or to be set up for this purpose. Accordingly, the principles underpinning the PANUSPF and on which the measures, actions and objectives defined are based bear repeating here:  strict compliance with current legislation on human and environmental safety and on the sustainable use of plant protection products; 3  encouragement of the adoption and implementation of good agricultural and environmental practice before, during and after the application of plant protection products, supplemented by appropriate monitoring, awareness-raising and training for professional users to ensure compliance;  promotion of research, innovation and technology transfer to encourage the incorporation of knowledge into plant protection and agricultural production practices and techniques;  encouragement at central and regional administration level of responsible advice on the use of plant protection products which are less harmful to non-target organisms and promotion of the development and application of alternatives to such products;  encouragement of the dissemination and accessibility of standards, guidelines and procedures to be implemented to ensure the correct use of plant protection products by the respective users;  appropriate inspection, monitoring and surveillance of agricultural and plant protection practices, incorporating corrective and disciplinary measures for bad practice. The National Action Plan for 2018-2023 thus seeks to continue the work already carried out with a view to addressing the concerns and aims set out in the current legal framework by establishing a range of objectives and specific measures for putting that framework into operation, with implementation and monitoring on the ground to be ensured as defined and agreed with all the partners. This Volume presents the quantitative objectives, indicators, targets, measures and schedule of the actions planned for this new five-year period with a view to continuing to pursue the objectives of sustainable use of plant protection products, reducing the risks and impact of the use of such products on human health and the environment and promoting the development of integrated pest management and alternative approaches or techniques in order to reduce dependency on the use of such products. 4 2. Implementation of the National Action Plan – 2018-2023 – for the Sustainable Use of Plant Protection Products In general terms, Directive (EC) 2009/128/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 October 2009 establishes various lines of action to be adopted by Member States to ensure compliance with its objectives of promoting and enhancing human health and environmental protection and encouraging the use of alternative techniques and methods, including integrated pest management. This involves training and awareness-raising for users, responsible sale, the safe use of application equipment, aerial applications, reduction of the risks associated with the use of plant protection products, the handling and storage of such products and management of their residues. The cross-cutting nature of training and awareness-raising makes it a particularly important line of action, since it is essentially by promoting the acquisition of skills and expertise concerning the risks and effects of these products that practices associated with their safe use can be improved. In addition to training, reference must also be made to the contribution of research and the practical application of the scientific and technical knowledge acquired, including as concerns complementary or alternative methods to the use of plant protection products. Accordingly, given that they cut across all of the actions continued or started under this revised Plan, the two cross-cutting axes initially established remain in place: Cross-cutting axis 1 – Research, innovation and technology transfer; Cross-cutting axis 2 – Training, awareness-raising and information. The three strategic axes previously established also remain in place: Strategic axis 1 – Protection of human health; Strategic axis 2 – Protection of the environment; Strategic axis 3 – Promotion of sustainable agricultural and forestry production systems. Due to the nature of the themes addressed within each cross-cutting and strategic axis, their organisation varies. The cross-cutting axes will maintain their simplified presentation and organisation according to the objectives identified, while the strategic axes will continue to be organised according to themes or policy areas regarded as priorities, in which lines of action are identified and fleshed out by quantifiable objectives, measures, targets and relevant indicators. The measures set out in this Plan are organised in the form of action records which appear in Annex I to this document and are referred to in relation to each of the objectives established under the PANUSPF 2018-2023. This Action Plan is also based on the results achieved and described in the published report on the implementation of the PANUSPF 2013–2018: any reference to results obtained under the earlier PANUSPF should be verified by consulting that report. 5 2.1. Cross-cutting axis 1 - Research, innovation and technology transfer The research and knowledge transfer programmes started under the earlier PANUSPF — aimed at determining the impacts of the use of plant protection products on human health and the environment and providing support to professional users in making decisions on the choice of methods to ensure compliance with the principles underlying integrated pest management — should continue. This axis will thus continue to promote research, innovation and technology transfer and the measures and actions established to that end are listed below, with reference to the relevant indicators set out in an annex to this document: Objective 1: To promote research, innovation and technology transfer to encourage the development and practice of integrated pest management and the use of sustainable production methods Measure 1: Gather technical-scientific information on the components of integrated pest management in the country’s various crop systems, the impacts of plant protection product use on human health and the environment, standardisable indicators and other information on the use of plant protection products, and support the inclusion of knowledge in the technical guides for integrated pest management, identifying gaps in knowledge to guide future research. Description: The aim is to use the SNAA (Serviço Nacional de Avisos Agrícolas, National Agricultural Warning Service) platform to reinforce communication between parties who hold relevant technical-scientific information and other information relevant for the practical application of the knowledge acquired, and to support the inclusion of knowledge already available but not yet considered in existing/newly-created technical guides to integrated pest management methods while simultaneously identifying new research areas. Coordination: INIAV, I.P. (National Agrarian and Veterinary Research Institute) and DGAV Actions: 1. Reinforce communication between parties and disseminate the relevant information about sustainable use of PPP and their possible impact on health and the environment via the SNAA platform, 2. Gather information on the components of integrated pest management: estimation of the risk, decision-making and alternative protection methods to chemicals in the projects created. Schedule: During the time that the PANUSPF is in force. Implementing Bodies National scientific and technological system organisations, INIAV, DGAV, DGADR (Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development), DRAPs (Regional Directorates for Agriculture and Fisheries), ICNF (Institute for Nature and Forest Conservation), farmers’ and forestry producers’ organisations, operational and technological centres, collaborative laboratories. 6 Relevant indicators: I1; I2; I3; I4 Measure 2: Foster operational networks proposing research, development and engineering in the area of integrated pest management and the sustainable use of plant protection products. Description: The aim is to foster the creation of operational networks whose members can form partnerships to submit RTD projects related to integrated pest management and the sustainable use of plant protection products to available sources of funding, coordinating their activities with the action to be implemented under cross-cutting axis 2 – training, awareness raising and information. Coordination: INIAV, I.P. DGAV and DGADR Actions: 1. Coordinate the gathering of relevant information from ongoing projects with a view to its dissemination; 2. Establish contacts with national scientific and technology system research groups and other European groups, particularly from ‘Mediterranean Europe’, as well as production companies and associations so as to organise research and innovation proposals to be submitted for national and European funding; 3. Compile and disseminate themes of relevance to demonstration and technology transfer, in the following domains in particular (a) Components of integrated pest management: indirect means of protection, risk estimation, decision-making rules and means of protection; (b) use of models to forecast the risk of pest damage; (c) alternatives to plant protection products, particularly cultural, organic and biotechnical; (d) best practice in the storage and application of plant protection products on the holding; (e) economic and environmental added value of integrated pest management and the sustainable use of plant protection products. Schedule: During the time that the PANUSPF is in force. Implementing Bodies: National scientific and technological system organisations, European research organisations, INIAV, I.P. Farmers’ and forestry producers’ organisations, DGAV, DRAPs, ICNF, I.P., Operational and Technological Centres, Collaborative Laboratories. Relevant indicators: I1; I2; I3; I4 No real significant progress was made in implementing the above measures under the previous PANUSPF given the delays that occurred in the creation of operational networks and the associated approval of applied research projects in the sector. However, 5 operational groups have been created and 15 projects on themes relevant to the PANUSPF 2018 2023 have been approved. Details on the operational groups and projects developed or in development can be consulted in the report on the implementation of the PANUSPF 2013-2018. Against this backdrop, conditions must be put in place 7 for the dissemination to professional users of the practical results, by means of easily accessible platforms: the SNAA platform, which already exists, may be used for this purpose. Furthermore, the production of integrated pest management technical guides during the previous PANUSPF fell far short of what was initially anticipated: accordingly, activity in this area must continue during the new PANUSPF. However, the period of validity of the PANUSPF 2013-2018 saw the creation, through Order No 2513/2017 of 27 March 2017, of the 'Rede Nacional de Experimentação e Investigação Agrária e Animal – REXIA 2' (National Testing and Research Network for Agriculture and Animals) aimed at creating an open network of testing stations to ensure national coverage of the country’s testing, research and innovation needs in different domains: this could well give rise to initiatives with a positive impact as regards the general objectives of the PANUSPF — particularly, for instance, as concerns the study and monitoring of pests and diseases and the reinforcement of the SNAA. 8 2.2. Cross-cutting axis 2 – Training, awareness-raising and information The results obtained during the lifespan of the 2013-2018 PANUSPF notwithstanding, training of professional and non professional users in responsible and informed decision-making on the application of plant protection products must continue. The previously defined general objectives thus remain in place, delineated by the lines of action set out below:  Training and vocational qualifications in the sustainable use of plant protection products;  Information and awareness-raising for plant protection product users. 2.2.1. Training and occupational qualifications in the sustainable use of plant protection products If professional plant protection product users are not provided with appropriate training in their various occupational contexts, it will not be possible to safeguard environmental health and safety principles or minimise potential risks and effects of the use of plant protection products. We would note here that the previous five-year period was a success as regards consolidation of the legal framework for training and of the systems for the training and qualification of all professional users, with the reinforcement of the national network of training bodies and training structures capable of addressing the training needs of all professional users of plant protection products. This training and professional certification system – implemented at national level – needs to be constantly updated and adapted to developments in the knowledge provided by applied research activities in the sector; it must also continue to respond to the requirements of the sector and of professionals in terms of training and refresher training. Accordingly, the measures relevant to the achievement of that objective are set out below. More indicators are created in the framework of Objective 2, providing more detailed information likely to be of greater use for the purposes of gaining an overview of the real training situation in Portugal. Furthermore, a single platform should be created to register all qualified professional users, as a means of standardising and collating the information and records currently scattered among several bodies competent in this area. To that end, Measure M8 — established in the earlier PANUSPF — has been completely overhauled, and Measure 6 has been created. Objective 2: To qualify all professional users Measure 3: Define and/or update training standards on the sustainable use of plant protection products and promote the 9 organisation of training activities. Description: The aim is to ensure the conditions necessary for the organisation of training activities – both class-based and distance learning – and to update the mandatory training provided for under Law No 26/2013 and promote the organisation of the said training. Coordination: DGAV and DGADR Actions: 1. Constantly update and/or produce content for training activities, both class-based and distance learning activities, on sustainable use of PPP; 2. Define the requirements and content of training activities for aerial agricultural operators in accordance with Annex IV to Law No 26/2013 and the requirements of the ANAC (Portuguese civil aviation authority); 3. Take steps to update the training activities aimed at ASAE (Food and Economic Security Authority), DRAPs and the competent police authorities; 4. Keep IPM (integrated pest management), IP (integrated production) and OP (organic production) training standards for technicians and farmers up to date; 5. Promote refresher training for qualified inspectors in CIPPs (Centro de Inspeção Periódica Obrigatória de Equipamentos de Aplicação de Produtos Fitofarmacêuticos Centres for the compulsory regular inspection of equipment used to apply plant protection products); 6. Promote the qualification, renewal of qualification and certification of aerial agricultural operators. Schedule: During the time that the PANUSPF is in force. Target: All professional users of plant protection products to have access to training about the sustainable use of such products. Implementing Bodies DRAPs, DGADR, INIAV, certified private training organisations, public education and teaching institutions in the area of agriculture, employment and vocational training, certified by means of an agreement concluded with the certifying bodies, ANAC, and DGAV. Relevant indicators: I5; I6; I7; I8; I9; I10; I11; I12; I13; I14; I15; I16; I19; I20; I21; 122 Measure 4: Put the pool of trainers into operation and establish training quality assessment criteria. Description: The aim is to ensure that training organisations have access to certified trainers who meet the necessary requirements, and to establish criteria for assessing the quality of the training delivered. 10 Coordination: DGAV and DGADR. Actions: 1. Identify the availability and distribution of trainers at regional level; 2. Adjust requirements for registration of trainers in the pool and for renewals of registration; 3. Encourage trainers to register in the pool; 4. Define training quality assessment requirements. Schedule: During the time that the PANUSPF is in force. Target: Dissemination to all parties interested in access to a pool of trainers. Implementing Bodies DGADR, DGAV, DRAPs, certified training organisations Relevant indicators: I16; I19; I21 Measure 5: Promote funding for the mandatory training activities provided for under Law No 26/2013 of 11 April 2013. Description: The aim is to continue to ensure funding for the mandatory training activities provided for under Law No 26/2013. Coordination: DGADR and DGAV. Actions: 1. Continue to survey training needs and measures to provide financial support for training. Schedule: During the time that the PANUSPF is in force. Target: To ensure adequate financial support for specific training needs, as applicable. Implementing Bodies: DGAV, DRAPs and DGADR. Relevant indicators: I17 11 Measure 6: Create a platform for the registration of trained professional users. Description: The aim is to create a single platform shared by all of the bodies competent for the training and qualification of professional users to enable all of the information gathered by the different bodies to be collated and organised, thus creating a single system for registering and monitoring qualifications. Coordination: DGAV. Actions: 1. Set up contact networks between the systems currently in place for the registration of training/qualifications; 2. Consolidate the organisation and reporting of information on the qualification of professional users; 3. Migrate systems and establish a single registration platform; 4. Create a platform for the registration of trained professional users. Schedule: During the time that the PANUSPF is in force. Target: Centralisation of registration of training/qualifications by 2023. Implementing Bodies: DGAV, DRAPs, DGADR, certified private training organisations, public education and teaching institutions in the area of agriculture, employment and vocational training, certified by means of an agreement concluded with the certifying bodies. Relevant indicators: I18; I20 12 Measure 7: Promote training for the control bodies provided for under Law No 26/2013. Description: The aim is to ensure that the control bodies acquire plant protection product expertise to make them more effective and efficient. Coordination: DGAV. Actions: 1. Promote training for ASAE inspectors; 2. Promote training for IGAMAOT (Inspectorate General for Agriculture, Sea, Environment and Spatial Planning), DRAPs and the competent police authorities; 3. Establish a training protocol with the police authorities on the application of PPP. Schedule: During the time that the PANUSPF is in force. Targets: To carry out at least one activity for each of the bodies every two years. Implementing Bodies: DGAV, ASAE, APA, DRAP, police authorities Relevant indicators: I29 2.2.2. Information and awareness-raising for users of plant protection products. In addition to training and awareness-raising — and to support them — production, updating and dissemination of information for professional and non-professional users is essential. This information covers the various aspects of the sustainable use of plant protection products, focusing in particular on helping professional users to adopt best practices in the storage, handling and transport of plant protection products in sales and distribution channels and on activities related to the application of plant protection products, including guidelines for the correct application of general integrated pest management principles. Although some information dissemination activities have taken place – some leaflets were produced, for instance – the activities not completed under the previous action plan should continue, specifically updates to the Code of Conduct for applying plant protection products. It is also important to continue to gather information from professional users, particularly by conducting surveys to assess the quality of the services provided as part of the activities carried out under the legal rules in force. The training to be delivered and undertaken in the national territory can be supplemented by awareness-raising activities as an additional means of transferring knowledge and exchanging experience, as they involve users more closely. Such activity must continue to be carried out by the competent authority in cooperation with the DRAPs and other authorities competent for the matters concerning which awareness is being raised. Actions that were not sufficiently developed 13 during the earlier PANUSPF implementation framework — specifically those involving raising awareness among non professional users — should be given particular impetus under this new action plan, given the significance of this sector of the population in general and their right to clear information on matters relating to risks and safety in the handling and application of these products. Objective No 3 therefore sets out the list of measures and the action to be taken for their implementation. Objective 3: To increase plant protection product users’ understanding of the risks and effects of using such products Measure 8: Promote the dissemination of good practice in the handling, storage and application of plant protection products by non-professional users and the dissemination of guidelines for professional users on best practices in sales channels and in the application of plant protection products. Description: The aim is to work together with the DRAPs, farmers’ organisations and forestry and industrial producers in the different areas to raise awareness of the sustainable use of plant protection products and increase understanding among professional and non-professional users with regard to the safe use of plant protection products. Coordination: DGAV. Actions: 1. Make leaflets on the public’s right to information available in establishments where products for non-professional use are sold; 2. Update and disseminate the code of conduct on plant protection product distribution and sales channels; 3. Create an electronic ‘b-learning’ support platform; 4. Continue projects ('Cultivar a Segurança', ('cultivating safety') 'Família Prudêncio' (The Prudence Family')); 5. Promote the official publication of newsletters, leaflets, reports and statistics on the marketing and use of plant protection products; 6. Draw up and maintain FAQs on official websites; 7. Run workshops for trainers on the sustainable use of plant protection products; 8. Disseminate Law No 26/2013 and the various aspects of the PANUSPF. Schedule: During the time that the PANUSPF is in force. Targets: Organise at least two information-dissemination activities each year; 14 Publish the codes of conduct by the end of 2019; Disseminate information on authorisations of plant protection products on a monthly basis; Implementing Bodies: DGAV, DGADR, DRAPs, INIAV, IFAP (Agriculture and Fisheries Financing Institute), APED (Portuguese Association of Distribution Companies), ANIPLA (National Association for the Plant Protection Industry), GROQUIFAR (Portuguese Association of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Product Wholesalers), ASAE, INEM (National Institute for Emergency Medicine), ACT (Working Conditions Authority), APA (Portuguese Environment Agency), REXIA 2, Farmers’ and forestry producers’ organisations, Higher Education Institutions, within each body’s area of responsibility Relevant indicators: I21; I22; I23; I24; I25; I26; I27; I28 Measure 9: Collect information on best practices associated with the handling and use of plant protection products. Description: The aim is to obtain data to be used as a basis for the assessment of the agricultural practices used, compliance with risk mitigation measures and the level of take-up of general IPM principles. Coordination: DGAV. Actions: 1. Conduct surveys on the sustainable use of plant protection products — specifically in sales outlets for products for professional use and in training activities — with a view to assessing the most common agricultural practices. Schedule: During the time that the PANUSPF is in force. Targets: Production of an annual report on the information gathered. Implementing Bodies: DGAV, DRAPs, GROQUIFAR, certified training organisations. Relevant indicators: I22; I23; I24; I25; I26; I27 2.2.3. – Awareness-raising among consumers and the general public The need to produce balanced information on the risks and benefits associated with the use of plant protection products has taken on greater significance in recent years. According to the first results of the 'Considere os factos' (‘consider the facts’) campaign launched in 2017 by ANIPLA in cooperation with the Centro de Estudos Aplicados da Universidade Católica Portuguesa (Centre for Applied Studies of the Catholic University of Portugal) almost 70% of the Portuguese consumers surveyed (961 participants) recognise the importance of using plant protection products to protect crops, while 15 65% prefer to consume organic produce, although the majority do not realise the latter are also produced using plant protection products. Action should therefore be taken with a view to better informing the general public about the sustainable use of plant protection products and food safety. The need to promote activities to raise awareness among the general public is set out in Objective 4. Objective 4 To increase understanding among consumers and the general public of the sustainable use of plant protection products and food safety Measure 10: Promote actions to raise awareness among the general public. Description: The aim is to raise awareness and promote dissemination of balanced and in-depth information about the different aspects of sustainable use of plant protection products among the general public, using more accessible and wider ranging methods to increase understanding among the general public of the risks and benefits of those products. Coordination: DGAV. Actions: 1. Produce leaflets to disseminate information about and raise awareness of the issues associated with the sustainable use of plant protection products and food safety; 2. Participate in or promote the organisation of television or radio panel discussions or other discussions open to the general public; 3. Create advertisements to disseminate, inform and raise awareness about the sustainable use of plant protection products and food safety on social media. Schedule: During the time that the PANUSPF is in force. Targets: At least one awareness-raising activity per year. Implementing Bodies: DGAV, Farmers’ confederations, APED, ANIPLA, GROQUIFAR. Relevant indicators: I28 16 2.3. Strategic axis 1: Protection of human health Due to the inherently dangerous nature of plant protection products, their use involves risks for human, animal and environmental health. Risks to human health affect users as follows: a) Professional users are at risk due to constant handling and exposure of plant protection products as a result of their professional activity in their capacity as operators or as professionals involved in the storage, distribution, sale or handling of such products. b) Agricultural workers and bystanders may be exposed to the treatment through e.g spray drift, contact with pesticide residues on crops or in previously treated places or accidentally when plant protection products are handled by persons without proper training or by children. c) Consumers are at risk as they may consume agricultural products containing pesticide residues due to the treatment of crops and/or stored agricultural products. Since agricultural products are tradable goods, a minimum quality standard must be met which guarantees their safety and freedom of movement in the EU market. This ‘standard’ takes the form of Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) established on a harmonised basis throughout the EU, compliance with such levels being a major Europe-wide priority. In the context of this Strategic Axis, and taking account of the policy areas and lines of action already established in the 2013-2018 PANUSPF, the objectives to be achieved are maintained:  protection of consumers of the agricultural products treated, guaranteeing that professional users comply with authorised agricultural practices and promoting the use of alternative means of protection;  protection of professional users by ensuring they receive vocational training and minimising their exposure during the handling and application of plant protection products;  protection of non-professional users by raising their awareness of the possible risks of using plant protection products in a domestic environment or in small family vegetable gardens;  protection of third parties, including vulnerable groups that may be exposed to the application of plant protection products, by means of the reporting obligation and by regulating the application of such products in specific areas frequented by particularly vulnerable people. Consumers of agricultural products must be protected as far as possible against exposure to plant protection products and their residues in the food they consume. Professional users, be they operators or people who handle plant protection products during their distribution and sale, constitute an occupational health risk group, and measures must therefore be put in place to protect them against the risks associated with their activity. 17 Non-professional users, particularly operators who come into contact with and apply plant protection products during recreational activities and/or the production of agricultural products for their own consumption, must also be specifically protected, regardless of the fact that they are only allowed access to a limited range of plant protection products. Finally, the protection of third parties – people who may be directly or indirectly affected – must also be ensured. The existence of specific groups particularly vulnerable to exposure to plant protection products must be taken into account here. 2.3.1. Protection of consumers Since the safety of consumers of food treated with plant protection products is of fundamental importance, it is necessary to reinforce the system for monitoring the responsible sale and use of such products as regards both MRL infringements in agricultural products and the conditions under which they are placed on the market. Accordingly, the action lines selected for this policy area are being maintained:  Reduction of risks to consumers associated with the use of plant protection products;  Reinforcement of best practice in the sale and application of plant protection products. 2.3.1.1. Reduction of risks to consumers associated with the use of plant protection products for consumers The promotion of safe foodstuffs for consumers entails ensuring that plant protection products are applied in accordance with good plant protection practice and in observance of the expressly authorised conditions for the use of such products in pest control or enhancing production. In line with the promotion of best practice in agricultural production, efforts must continue to be made to keep levels as low as possible or even reduce the number of cases involving infringements of MRL and acute risk to consumers, as well as to raise levels of trust in the existing system for monitoring residues in plant products and foodstuffs. 18 Objective 5 To reinforce the control of pesticide residues in food and reduce the number of food related incidents by promoting better food safety Measure 11: Monitor and supervise food of plant and animal origin Description: The aim is to reinforce the monitoring and inspection of food of plant and animal origin entering the market. Coordination: DGAV. Actions: 1. Define the official control plan for pesticide residues each year and ensure its implementation; 2. Prepare and disseminate a report on the annual control of pesticide residues in organic agricultural products. Schedule: During the time that the PANUSPF is in force. Aims: An annual control report submitted by the end of the third quarter of the year following implementation of the control programme. Perform an analysis of at least 400 samples and 20 products of plant and animal origin per year. An average rate of non-compliance with maximum residue levels (MRLs) lower than the average for 2013-2018; Implementing Bodies DGAV, DRAA, DRAM, ASAE, network of pesticide residue laboratories, DGADR. Relevant indicators: I30; I31; I32; I33 2.3.1.2. Reinforcement of good practice in the sale and application of plant protection products The sale, distribution and application of plant protection products must be subject to a suitable regulatory process that allows these activities to be performed in accordance with the current legal framework, which represents, in this regard, the principal guarantee of the responsible sale and use of these products. The contract of sale to professional users must provide adequate information on the use of plant protection products, health risks and safety instructions in order to ensure the risks pertaining to the products in question are managed accordingly. Furthermore, in order to protect professional users trading in plant protection products and those who purchase the said products, it is important to reinforce expertise in terms of handling and selling these products and advising other professionals about their use, and to ensure the safety of storage and sales facilities, bearing in mind the dangers posed by the products in question. It is therefore necessary to provide licences to the economic operators involved in the sale and application of plant protection products and ensure that they act in accordance with the provisions of the current legal framework. Objective 6 To promote the licensing of the sale and application of plant protection products Measure 12: Authorisation for sales or distribution establishments to pursue the activity and for the terrestrial application of plant protection products. 19 Description: The aim is to continue to ensure the functioning of the authorisation system for distribution companies, sales establishments and terrestrial application service providers in accordance with the legislation in force. Coordination: DGAV. Actions: 1. Ensure authorisation to pursue distribution and sales activities. 2. Ensure authorisation for bodies with their own application services or companies dealing in the terrestrial application of plant protection products to pursue activities relating to the application of plant protection products; 3. Perform checks of licensed companies and bodies currently in the process of obtaining or renewing authorisation. Schedule: During the time that the PANUSPF is in force. Aims: Plant protection products will only be sold/applied in/by duly licensed establishments/bodies in 2023; Implementing Bodies: DGAV, DRAPs Relevant indicators: I34; I35 Measure 13: Inspection of the marketing, distribution and application of plant protection products Description: The aim is to reinforce inspection of the marketing and application of plant protection products in the distribution circuits and to encourage unauthorised economic operators to secure a license. Coordination: ASAE, DGAV. Actions: 1. Inspection of economic activity relating to the distribution, sale and application of plant protection products. 2. Coordinated checks and inspections of economic activity relating to the distribution, sale and application of plant protection products in unlicensed establishments, bodies and companies. Schedule: During the time that the PANUSPF is in force. Aims: - To cover, at least, the average number of establishments and companies/entities applying plant protection products inspected between 2014 and 2018; To avoid exceeding the average number of infringements observed between 2014 and 2018. Implementing Bodies: ASAE/IRAE/ARAE and the competent police authorities; Relevant indicators: I36; I37; I38; I39 20 This line of action aims, furthermore, to provide a framework for consumer protection in order to define the objectives that will ensure that the products are used in accordance with the authorised conditions for application. The correct application of plant protection products may be encouraged by training those applying them, by providing appropriate advice in the contract of sale and by monitoring and inspecting how they are applied by professional users. The latter aims to include application on agricultural or forestry holdings by terrestrial or aerial application companies by way of obligatory registers at the holdings. Objective 7: To encourage the appropriate use of plant protection products Measure 14: Monitoring the appropriate use of plant protection products Description: The aim is to reinforce checks on the appropriate use and storage of plant protection products by professional users. Coordination: DGAV Actions: 1. Checks on the application of plant protection products on agricultural or forestry holdings; 2. Drafting and implementation of a Control Plan for the application of plant protection products in urban areas, recreational areas and thoroughfares by the end of 2019. 3. Checks on the application of plant protection products in urban areas, recreational areas and thoroughfares by companies or bodies with their own application services. 4. Inspection of the practices of licensing bodies and companies dealing in the application of plant protection products. 5. Coordinated checks and inspections of the transportation of illegal plant protection products on a systematic basis. Schedule: During the time that the PANUSPF is in force. Aims: - To cover, at least, the average number of establishments checked between 2014 and 2018; To perform checks under PCPP-HUSPF in at least 150 holdings per year. To perform checks under the cross-compliance regime of at least 1 % of those applying for aid; To avoid exceeding the average number of infringements observed between 2014 and 2018. Implementing Bodies: DGAV, DRAPs, IFAP and the competent police authorities. Relevant indicators: I40; I41; I42; I43 21 2.3.2. Protection of professional users Protection of professional users is first and foremost an occupational health and safety issue concerning those professionals who handle, use and apply plant protection products. The risks include not only the risk of acute intoxication stemming from one-off accidental contact, but also the chronic and sub-chronic risk associated with potential prolonged exposure due to regular professional activity. The following lines of action have been selected for this policy area:  Reduction in the exposure of those applying the products.  Limit on the use of certain categories of plant protection products. The aim is to continue to foster and reinforce the expertise of users in order to ensure that, throughout the life-cycle of the plant protection product, the professionals involved possess the knowledge necessary to ensure their own safety while carrying out their activity well. The objective is to encourage the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), not only the simplified vision of ‘wearing a protective suit’, but also use of individual protective equipment with a view to ensuring the safe use of plant protection products. It is also necessary to limit the use of certain categories of plant protection products to groups of professional operators who have undergone specific training: some products, either because of the specificity of the application technique or the increased risk associated with handling them, require a level of specialisation that does not need to be demanded of all professional operators. 2.3.2.1. Reduction in the exposure of operators, workers and bystanders to the treatments The operators are exposed to the products that they handle and apply. It is therefore considered essential, in addition to the acquisition of expertise in terms of training, to promote the use of appropriate Personal Protective Equipment and ensure that the authorised conditions of use are met, thus ensuring that the user is protected. The correct functioning of the application material is therefore considered a relevant issue in this context. It is possible to reduce the risks to workers and third parties arising from the terrestrial application of plant protection products on agricultural and forest land by using application equipment that is in good working order, selecting appropriate application techniques and making a careful selection of the products used. The objectives, goals, indicators and measures, as defined within the scope of this Line of Action, are set out in the table below. Objective 8: To encourage a reduction in exposure during the application of plant protection products Measure 15: Inspection of plant protection product application equipment Description: The aim is to continue to ensure the effective implementation of the inspection system for plant protection product application equipment and guarantee the effective inspection of equipment by ensuring that the necessary requirements are met. Coordination: DGAV. Actions: 22 1. Continue to manage the SIGECIPP database for the registration of inspected application equipment; 2. Proceed with the licensing/renewal of the CIPPs; 3. Promote the inspection of application equipment; 4. Define the requirements for the inspection manual; 5. Identification/survey of all application equipment to be inspected (new and in use); 6. Keep the manual of the application equipment application centres up to date; 7. Define and implement a procedure to monitor activities performed by the CIPPs; 8. Inspection of application equipment subject to compulsory inspection; 9. Ascertain the existence of anti-drift nozzles during the inspection of terrestrial application equipment; 10. Review Decree-Law No 86/2010 of 15 June 2010. Schedule: During the time that PANUSPF is in force. Aims: - To ensure that as of 2023 only inspected equipment is used; To ensure that at least 50 % of the equipment in use is fitted with anti-drift nozzles by the end of 2023; To ensure inspection of at least 10 % of the CIPPs active per year; To avoid exceeding the average number of infringements observed between 2014 and 2018. Implementing Bodies: DGAV, CIPPs and the competent police authorities. Relevant indicators: I44; I45; I46; I47; I48; I49; I50; I51; I52; I53 Measure 16: Promote the use of Personal Protective Equipment Description: The aim is to promote the use of and subsequent demand for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) on the market, suitable for the activities involved in the handling of plant protection products. Coordination: DGAV Actions: 1. Perform consultations with professional users regarding the use of PPE; 2. Promote action to raise awareness of the need for professional users to wear PPE; 3. Include guidelines on the sale and acquisition of Personal Protective Equipment suitable for the handling and application of plant protection products in the Codes of Conduct and training, information and awareness-raising actions to be performed within the context of PANUSPF; 23 4. Include checks on the sale/use of PPE suitable for the activity/category of plant protection products in the inspection of the sale/distribution and use of plant protection products. Schedule: During the time that the PANUSPF is in force. Aims: - To ensure the permanent availability of correct and up-to-date information concerning PPE and the progressive use by professional users of PPE suitable for the handling and application of plant protection products by the end of 2023. Implementing Bodies: DGAV, DRAPs, Farmers’ and forestry producers’ organisations, ANIPLA; Holders of distribution and sale authorisation, GROQUIFAR. Relevant indicators: I54; I55 2.3.2.2. Limit on the use of certain categories of plant protection products. In this line of action, the objective remains in place in the present PANUSPF 2018-2023 to block the use of plant protection products requiring specialised application by those without the necessary training. This is managed by correctly certifying and monitoring the marketing and use of products of specialised use, both in sales channels and when they are in use, given that no action was taken in the previous PANUSPF to verify compliance by professional users. Objective 9 To block the use of plant protection products requiring specialised application by those not in possession of the necessary authorisation. Fulfilment of this objective must be ensured under the scope of the inspections and control of the marketing and use of plant protection products, respectively, as covered by Measure 13: ‘Supervision of the marketing, distribution and application of plant protection products’ and Measure 14: ‘Monitoring the appropriate use of plant protection products’ already listed. However, new indicators are included within this context, which focus in particular on a group of products intended for professional users with training in specialised application. The police authorities and the DRAPs must take part in these inspections and checks within the limits of their powers. The target is to ensure that each year the average values for the years 2013 to 2018 are not exceeded. The relevant indicators for this Objective are the indicators I36; I37; I38; I39; I40; I42; I43; I56 and I57. 2.3.3. Protection of users of plant protection products authorised for non-professional use Protecting users of plant protection products authorised for non-professional use is a matter of ensuring health and safety when these plant protection products are handled and applied either within a professional environment or by members of the general public in a domestic environment or in family orchards or gardens. The main protection measure for non-professional users is to restrict their access to a limited category of plant protection products and to ensure that they are suitably aware of the risks associated with handling and applying these products, as already set out accordingly in this Plan. It has also been requested that users be given suitable advice in the sales establishments offering this category of products, as established in the legislation in force. 24 Therefore, the use of plant protection products intended for professional use by those without due training and who are therefore not authorised to handle and use these products must continue to be blocked during the supervision of sales establishments as provided for in Measure 13: ‘Supervision of the marketing, distribution and application of plant protection products’, and it will be ascertained whether all plant protection products intended for professional use have been sold only to qualified operators by applying the Indicators associated with the measure in question to ascertain compliance with the objective. 2.3.3.1. Raising awareness of the risks associated with the use of plant protection products Not all of the objectives outlined in the previous action plan regarding measures to raise awareness among non professional users have been achieved as the actions aimed primarily at professional users were given priority. It is therefore important, in the next plan, to take over the previously outlined objectives and also reformulate the actions to be carried out. Therefore, action aimed at increasing non-professional users’ understanding of the risks associated with using plant protection products and improving the advice given in the contract of sale of non-professional products must be pursued. The aim is to improve non-professional users’ understanding of the information provided on the labelling of plant protection products not intended for professional use. Objective 10: To increase non-professional users’ understanding of the risk associated with using plant protection products and improve the advice given in the contract of sale Measure 17: Promote actions to raise awareness among non-professional users Description: The aim is to encourage awareness-raising and disseminate balanced and thorough information about the plant protection products authorised for use in domestic environments (orchards and family gardens) by using the means with the greatest accessibility and reach in order to increase this particular group of users’ understanding of the risks associated with these products and inform them that they must be handled and applied safely. Coordination: DGAV Actions: 1. Prepare information pamphlets on the risks to human health and the environment associated with the use of plant protection products; 2. Participate in or promote the organisation of television or radio panel discussions or other discussions open to non-professional users; 3. Create advertisements to disseminate, inform and raise awareness about the risks and safe use of plant protection products on social media. Schedule: During the time that the PANUSPF is in force. Aims: At least one awareness-raising activity per year. Implementing Bodies: DGAV, Farmers’ confederations, APED, ANIPLA, GROQUIFAR. 25 Relevant indicators: I58; I59; I60; I61 2.3.4. Protection of third parties, including vulnerable groups The following lines of action have been defined for this policy area:  Regulation of aerial application and terrestrial application in urban areas, recreational areas and thoroughfares;  Reduction in cases of poisoning by plant protection products In order to protect third parties from the application of plant protection products, a wide group of people who are not involved in the treatments performed but who could be directly affected must be considered: agricultural workers, who could potentially come into contact with the residues deposited on crops as a result of the application of plant protection products: persons in the proximity of the treatments, in adjacent sites, who may be subject to exposure as a result of spray or dust drift caused by the application of plant protection products, and, furthermore, persons who may inadvertently handle plant protection products without realising their inherent risk. Within the scope of this policy area, it is important to continue with the actions initiated under the previous action plan and to develop the actions that were not effectively performed between 2013 and 2018. 2.3.4.1. Regulation of aerial application and terrestrial application in urban areas, recreational areas and thoroughfares The current line of action aims to reduce the risks posed to third parties by the application of plant protection products, as provided for in the current legislation, in particular by prohibiting the aerial application of plant protection products and application in urban areas, recreational areas and thoroughfares. It is therefore important to maintain and/or define the objectives that make it possible to measure the success of these measures in particular. The objectives, goals, indicators and measures, as defined within the scope of this Line of Action, are set out below. 26 Objective 11: To reduce the risk of exposure of bystanders to the aerial application of plant protection products Measure 18: Certification, authorisation and checks of aerial applications Description: The aim is to ensure the full application of the legal framework on aerial applications and to ensure the functioning of the authorisation system for companies performing the aerial application of plant protection products and providing aerial application plans with subsequent application, under the existing derogation system, by reinforcing the checks on the aerial application of plant protection products in order to ensure that aerial applications only take place when strictly necessary and in a proven plant health emergency. Coordination: DGAV Actions: 1. Ensure implementation of the legal framework regarding certification of aerial operators and aerial applications; 2. Review, on an annual basis, the cultures, plant protection products, sites and special requirements regarding aerial application; 3. Ensure that checks are performed of the aerial application of plant protection products on agricultural or forestry holdings; 4. Ensure that the spraying equipment used in the aircrafts is inspected; 5. Preparation of the legislative framework proposal on the use of precision farming technologies (drones). Schedule: During the time that the PANUSPF is in force. Aims: - To perform checks of, at least, 50 % of the aerial application requests per region; The rate of non-compliance must not exceed the average values registered during the years 2013-2018; 100 % of the spraying equipment used on the aircraft must have been inspected by the end of 2023. Implementing Bodies: ANAC, DGAV, DRAPs, ICNF, APA, CIPPs and the competent police authorities. Relevant indicators: I62; I63 Objective 12: To reduce the risk of exposure in urban areas, recreational areas and thoroughfares The reduction of the risks associated with the application of plant protection products in urban areas, recreational areas and thoroughfares must be ensured through the strict adherence to the legal framework in force and the verification, on site, of compliance therewith, as well as the promotion of checks of bodies and companies with terrestrial application services. The actions and indicators laid down in Measure 14: Checks on the appropriate use of plant protection products’ 27 are therefore relevant, as are Indicators I64; I65 and I66. A target of this objective is to perform checks of at least 10% of the authorised derogation requests under Decree-Law No 35/2017, while each year at least 5 % of the bodies and companies authorised in each region must be subject to checks. 2.3.4.2. Reduction in cases of poisoning by plant protection products This objective , defined in this Action Plan, aims to ensure the protection of third parties who cohabit with professional users, particularly children, and who may be exposed to potential risks through the accidental handling of products that they do not realise are dangerous. It must be ensured that plant protection products (in sales channels and in the storage of professional users) are stored in places that cannot be accessed by bystanders who have no understanding of the risks involved in handling these products: this is an aspect inherent to the appropriate use of plant protection products and is therefore subject to specific actions already included in Measure 14: ‘Monitoring the appropriate use of plant protection products’ Another important aspect of this line of action is the need to increase understanding of the way in which exposure to plant protection products either through professional activity or as a result of accidental or inadvertent exposure to these products can affect health. It is therefore necessary to set up a programme to monitor the effects on health of exposure to plant protection products. This task was begun in the previous action plan but not concluded. The objective to reduce the number of cases of poisoning by plant protection products, goals, indicators and measures, as defined within the scope of this Line of Action, is set out below. Objective 13: To reduce the number of cases of poisoning by plant protection products or resulting from unintentional exposure thereto Measure 19: Establish plans to monitor the effects on health of exposure to plant protection products and resistance and communication in an emergency. Description: The aim is to develop actions in order to monitor the side effects for human and plant health caused by exposure to plant protection products or residues thereof possibly present in water intended for human consumption, within the context of their normal use, and to monitor the occurrence of resistance of harmful organisms to the plant protection products applied. Coordination: DGS/DGAV/ACT/INEM. Actions: 1. Create a group to monitor the effects on health caused by exposure to plant protection products; 2. Prepare a health Monitoring Plan regarding exposure to plant protection products in a professional context; 3. Prepare protocols for the monitoring of resistance to plant protection products; 4. Prepare an emergency Communication Plan between competent bodies regarding the presence of pesticide residues in water intended for consumption. 28 Schedule: During the time that PANUSPF is in force. Aims: - Implementation of the Monitoring Plan during the time that PANUSPF is in force; Maximum number of incidents observed must not exceed the average value observed during the years 2013-2018; Implementation of the Communication Plan for emergencies during the time that PANUSPF is in force; Implementation of the resistance monitoring plans during the time that PANUSPF is in force; Implementing Bodies: DGAV, DRAPs, INIAV, DGS, ERSAR, ACT, APA, ICNF, INEM, ANIPLA, farmers’ and forestry producers’ organisations, national scientific and technological system organisations and other voluntary bodies. Relevant indicators: I67; I68; I69; I70 29 2.4. Strategic axis 2: Protection of the environment The use of plant protection products may have negative effects on the environment - the aquatic environment is particularly sensitive, particularly with regard to the possible contamination of surface water and groundwater. The possible effects on biodiversity must also be taken into account, particularly non-target organisms, namely auxiliary organisms, bees and other pollinators. Within the scope of this Strategic Axis and, in the context of the use of plant protection products, protection of the environment and guarantee of its sustainability are covered by two main Areas of Intervention, in the context of which the Lines of Action and quantitative objectives to be achieved were identified.  Protection of water resources from point-source and diffuse contamination by plant protection products and their residues, by reinforcing good practices relating to storage, handling, application and management of the residues of these products at the level of agricultural and forestry holdings, urban areas, recreational areas and thoroughfares. It is also important to stress the need to provide support and advice structures for professional users, complemented by actions to monitor and supervise compliance with existing regulations;  Protection of biodiversity, by encouraging ecological infrastructures in the holdings that constitute repositories for auxiliary species in plant health control, and by reinforcing implementation of existing regulations and supervising the correct adoption of the risk-mitigation measures defined by the competent authorities. In this regard, it is also important to emphasise the social and economic component of the impact that preserving or encouraging useful species, particularly pollinating organisms, has on crop productivity. The aim in pursuing the objectives and measures established under this strategic axis is to continue to encourage the adoption of practices that seek to ensure the good chemical status and good ecological status/potential of surface water bodies and the good chemical status of groundwater bodies, as well as to ensure that behavioural patterns with a positive impact on nature conservation, including water resources and preservation of satisfactory levels of biodiversity in the associated natural and rural ecosystems, are incorporated into common agricultural practices. Of particular relevance in this regard is the work carried out within the framework of the TOPPS project that ran from 2005 to 2008 with the aim of promoting good practices in order to reduce point-source contamination with the support of the European Crops Protection Association (ECPA) and the European Commission, under the LIFE programme (http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/project/Projects/index.cfm) and more recently, other TOPPS programmes supported only by ECPA and focused on diffuse contamination of water bodies. The result of the projects carried out can be seen in various publications issued and included on the platform http://www.topps-life.org/ and distributed in Portugal by ANIPLA, and has been disseminated in numerous training and awareness-raising actions promoted by the Industry or with which the sector collaborates, in particular, and promoted by the competent authorities and training bodies. http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/project/Projects/index.cfm http://www.topps-life.org/ 30 2.4.1. Protection of water resources 2.4.1.1. Application and reinforcement of measures to mitigate the risk of contamination of water bodies and protection of abstractions of water intended for human consumption. As already stated, the imposition of risk-mitigation measures stems from the normal authorisation process for plant protection products, laid down in current legislation on the placing on the market of plant protection products, particularly Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 of 21 October 2009, and the implementation thereof translates into strict observance of the conditions set out on the labelling of these products or in the official information issued by the competent official service. Law No 26/2013 reinforces the need to adopt measures that reduce the risks stemming from the use of these products, particularly in terms of protecting water resources. In particular the provisions laid down in this document must be respected, as must the guidelines and conditions established in the codes of conduct on the safe use of plant protection products prepared and published by the DGAV or other bodies with which the DGAV collaborates. Furthermore, in order to tackle a plant health problem in a given situation and taking into account local conditions, the most suitable product with the minimum side effects on human health, non-target organisms and the environment must be selected from the group of authorised products. In this regard and in addition to compliance with the conditions set out on the labelling and the issues regarding awareness-raising, training and advice to users, there are other relevant actions, particularly in terms of judicious selection of the plant protection products to be used, storage and safe handling of these products and maintenance of the equipment in good working order and a state of cleanliness, as well as the selection of devices that make it possible to reduce spray or dust drift containing pesticide residues, practices aimed at minimising the direct and indirect contamination of water abstractions and groundwater and surface water, and in terms of managing the residues resulting from multiple operations performed with these products. Regarding the selection of plant protection products, preference must be given to those which, cumulatively, are not classified as dangerous for the aquatic environment (pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008), or as priority substances (under Directive 2000/60/EC), and are low risk (in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009). It is also important to point out that the use of plant protection products must be included in integrated protection systems. As verification of compliance with the safety conditions for the preparation and application of these products is not currently performed and was not implemented in the previous action plan at the level of agricultural and forestry holdings and terrestrial application companies, it is not possible to determine the level of compliance with the conditions set out on the labelling. The safety conditions that must be observed by professional users are those laid down in Law No 26/2013. For the current PANUSPF 2018-2023 it is therefore necessary to enable measures that make it possible to perform on site supervision of the implementation of the established precautions for use and, at the same time, promote investment in training and awareness-raising in order to increase understanding of the importance of strict compliance with these measures. This action is considered to have the greatest impact on professional users. It is also very important to 31 continue with the preparation of the Code of Conduct for the application of plant protection products and the dissemination thereof to all farmers who use these products. Furthermore, strong action must be taken to combat the customary and incorrect practices of preparing the spray mixtures and washes for equipment, often involving discharging the waste onto the ground or in the water, or in water abstractions (particularly in holes or wells) that may even be used for own-supply water and from where the water used for dilution or washing purposes is taken. Although the data available on the monitoring of the quality of water intended for human consumption, provided by the competent authority, do not raise concern since, to date, none of the cases where parametric values have been exceeded has resulted in an identified risk to consumers, they nevertheless point to the need, on first consideration, to locate the source of the contamination and to map the practices implemented by farmers in order to ascertain whether the contamination problems arose from an authorised practice or, conversely, from a failure to comply with these practices which, in any event, must be corrected for those who handle, apply and manage the plant protection products. The objective of reducing surface water and ground water contamination levels is established taking into account the necessary coordination of the objectives defined in Directive No 2009/128/EC, transposed by Law No 26/2013, and Directive No 2000/60/EC of 23 October 2000 establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy, transposed into national law by Law No 58/2005 of 29 December 2005 (the Water Act) and Decree-Law No 77/2006 of 30 March 2006. In this regard and in order to achieve compliance with that objective the good ecological status/potential and the good chemical status of surface water bodies and the good quantitative and chemical status of groundwater bodies must be guaranteed, as provided for in Article 4 of the Water Framework Directive and Article 45 et seq. of the Water Act. Therefore, and with specific regard to the protection of surface water and groundwater from contamination with plant protection products, it is necessary to ensure that these products are used appropriately so as not to compromise the good status of surface water bodies and the good chemical status of groundwater bodies. Management of waste resulting from spray mixtures and contaminated water from washing equipment used to apply plant protection products in or forestry agricultural holdings must also be stepped up. In order to overcome the technical and economic constraints associated with the obligations laid down in Law No 26/2013, it is also worthwhile reconsidering this legal framework in order to better place the waste management problems derived from the preparation of spray mixtures and the washing of spraying equipment, which must be in line with the status to be accorded to this type of residue, within the legal framework in force. Objective 14: To promote the good status of surface water and groundwater bodies and the protection of water intended for human consumption. Measure 20: Reduce the contamination levels of surface water and groundwater and promote good practices regarding the storage, handling, application and management of residues of these products. Description: The aim is to ensure that, through direct action aimed at raising awareness among professional users, practices to protect water bodies from pesticide contamination are fostered by promoting the use of techniques to minimise the risks to the aquatic environment associated with the application of plant protection products, the correct 32 storage, handling and management of residues, and good practices of managing the soil and vegetation cover. Coordination: DGAV, APA Actions: 1. Raising awareness of the use of techniques to minimise spray or dust drift and surface run-off and leaching into the soil of plant protection products; 2. Collection of information regarding the use of anti-drift nozzles; 3. Presentation of the summary report on the detection of pesticides in surface water and groundwater by the end of 2019. 4. Incorporation into the codes of conduct and training, awareness-raising and advice actions of measures and practices to mitigate the risk and reduce contamination of water bodies stemming from the use of plant protection products, which are included in integrated protection systems and based on the adoption of good practices regarding storage, handling and management of residues, as well as management of the soil and vegetation cover. 5. Promotion of the dissemination to professional users of manuals of good practice as part of TOPPS projects or others of a similar nature, and incorporation of these issues in training, information and awareness-raising actions. 6. Establish partnerships with model farms and farmers' associations to promote and disseminate good practices to protect the soil, surface water and groundwater from pesticide contamination. 7. Preparation and implementation of regulations for the certification of effluent collection and management systems. Schedule: During the time that PANUSPF is in force. Aims: - To improve the status of groundwater and surface water bodies in order to comply with the environmental quality standards established for pesticides in accordance with the provisions of the Water Act and complementary legislation and reflected in the Hydrographic Region Management Plans To ensure that at least 50 % of the equipment inspected is fitted with anti-drift nozzles; Implementing Bodies: DGAV, APA, ERSAR; DRAPs, DGADR, INIAV, training organisations Relevant indicators: I71; I72; I73; I74; I75; I76; I77; I78; I79; I80 2.4.1.2. Implementation of the management systems for residues of plant protection products At the level of agricultural or forestry holdings and the bodies that provide terrestrial application services, under PANUSPF 2018-2023 the implementation of measures that may contribute to reducing environmental contamination must be pursued, in particular measures aimed at the appropriate management and elimination under environmentally sound conditions of plant protection product waste, packaging waste and surplus application mixtures and residues, and good practices regarding the maintenance and cleaning of application equipment. Although the correct management of packaging waste from plant protection products may be duly implemented on site and the data available points to a positive tendency in the sector, which is expected to rise, a strategy was not established during the period 2013-2018 to deal with the need to manage plant protection product residues, particularly obsolete 33 products1, which are still - because of the capacity on the agricultural or forestry holding - kept by the farmer or forestry producer. Therefore, national measures must be implemented as a matter of urgency in order to appropriately manage these residues which, if they are not collected in a safe manner and sent for suitable assessment or elimination, represent a potential source of point-source contamination of resources and a serious risk to human and environmental safety. The measures, as defined within the scope of this Line of Action, are set out below. Objective 15: To increase the collection of plant protection product waste and packaging waste from seeds treated with plant protection products Measure 21: Reinforcement of the system of collecting and managing packaging waste from plant protection products and packaging from seeds treated with plant protection products. Description: The aim is to increase the current levels of treatment, collection and management of empty packaging from plant protection products in such a way as to decrease their potential impact on the environment in general and contamination of water resources in particular. Coordination: DGAV; Licensed managing bodies of specific waste streams. Actions: 1. Publication and dissemination in the code of conduct for the application of plant protection products of good practices for the correct management of packaging waste. 2. Increase the number of collection points for packaging waste from plant protection products and packaging from seeds treated with plant protection products. 3. Perform quantitative and qualitative monitoring of the packaging waste received at the collection points. Schedule: During the time that the PANUSPF is in force. Aims: - All licensed sales establishments to collect packaging waste by the end of 2023. To establish a national network for the collection of packaging waste from seeds treated with plant protection products by the end of 2023. Implementing Bodies: Managing bodies licensed to handle packaging waste from plant protection products APA, DGAE. Relevant indicators: I81, I82; I83; I84; I85; I86; I87; I88; I89; I90 Measure 22: Promote the correct management and elimination of residues of obsolete plant protection products. Description: The aim is to create and put into operation a new national strategy for the systematic collection of residues of obsolete plant protection products at the level of agricultural holdings, which must be based on a management model that is in line with the socioeconomic situation of the agricultural holdings. 1 Obsolete Product or residue of plant protection product waste: Unusable plant protection product, contained in opened packaging stored with the end user, as well as plant protection products whose sale authorisation and selling-off period have expired (see Decree-Law No 187/2006 of 19 September 2006) 34 Coordination: DGAV; APA. Actions: 1. Carry out a campaign to collect stocks of residues of obsolete plant protection products from users / pilot action in a specific region; 2. Draft a proposal to manage residues of obsolete plant protection products. Schedule: During the time that the PANUSPF is in force. Targets: New model for managing obsolete plant protection products implemented by the end of 2023. Implementing bodies: ANIPLA, GROQUIFAR, CAP, CNA, CONFAGRI, AJAP, DGAV, APA, DRAP. Relevant indicators: I89, I90 2.4.1.3. Promote the correct use and maintenance of application equipment In order to adequately protect natural resources from the impact of plant protection products, it is obviously necessary to reduce these resources’ exposure to the residues resulting from the application of such products. This is also ensured by using application equipment that is in good working condition. This concern was addressed with the publication of Decree Law No 86/2010 and its provisions on compulsory, regular inspections of the new and in-use equipment used to apply plant protection products. The said legislation set up and gave official recognition to the inspection bodies, i.e. the Centres for the regular inspection of equipment used to apply plant protection products (Centros de Inspeção Periódica de Equipamentos de Aplicação de produtos fitofarmacêuticos – CIPPs), and led to the widespread implementation of inspections by these bodies with the technical capacity to promote the use of equipment in good working condition and to withdraw from use equipment not meeting existing safety requirements. Nevertheless, for legal reasons the above mentioned Decree-Law had to be revised in order to take account of the technical advances made with regard to inspections. This work was begun during the first PANUSPF and will be concluded as part of the new action plan. During the coming five-year period, a procedural framework will have to be created for supervising CIPP activity, in order to ensure that the actions taken by these centres meet high levels of quality and technical rigour. The correct maintenance and calibration of equipment must be promoted alongside the inspection framework, so as to ensure more effective plant protection treatments, thereby guaranteeing that plant protection products are used in an environmentally-friendly way. 35 All of the above-mentioned actions are duly set out under Measure 15: ‘Inspection of plant protection product application equipment’. Accordingly, as far as this line of action is concerned, it is necessary to stress only the importance of continuing these actions with the additional aim of protecting natural resources. 2.4.2. Protection of habitats and biodiversity 2.4.2.1. Promoting the protection of non-target organisms Plant protection products are categorised when they are authorised, depending on their intrinsic risk to the environment in general terms and the aquatic environment in particular, and in accordance with EU criteria on the classification of dangerous substances and mixtures. As the vast majority of plant protection products classified under Regulation (EU) No 1272/2008 are deemed to be hazardous to the aquatic environment, there are inherent risks to their use, which can be mitigated by applying the proper management measures appropriate to each product and its use. The professional user must therefore make a conscious and informed choice to select the plant protection product that is least hazardous to non-target organisms. This objective can be achieved primarily by training professional and non-professional users and by raising their awareness. Besides the issue of choosing the correct plant protection product and deciding on whether it needs to be used, given the other measures available to address the plant health problem, other complementary aspects may be taken into consideration, which represent added value in terms of preserving the surrounding natural environment, namely encouraging the use of low-risk plant protection products. Accordingly, the actions already set out under Measure 20: ‘Reduce the contamination levels of surface water and groundwater and promote good practices regarding the storage, handling, application and management of residues of these products’ are also applicable for reducing the risk posed by PPP to the aquatic environment and for promoting the protection of non-target organisms. Steps must therefore be taken to increase the availability of low-risk products. More low-risk products must be available than the average number of low-risk products authorised between 2013 and 2018 and there must be fewer instances of EQS non-compliance than recorded under the previous PANUSPF 2013-2018. 2.4.2.2. Promoting the protection of biodiversity According to the communication on the Rural Development Plan (PDR 2014-2020) issued by the Office for Planning, Policy and General Administration (Gabinete de Planeamento, Políticas e Administração – GPP), 18.4% of mainland Portugal’s utilised agricultural area is located in areas protected for the purposes of biodiversity under the EU’s Natura 2000 ecological network, accounting for almost a fifth of national territory. Moreover, farmers who work the land in these areas incorporate biodiversity protection into the implementation and management of the practices that are vital for maintaining the values of nature. They therefore play a key role in maintaining and promoting biodiversity. As regards 36 agricultural and forestry systems, it is necessary to foster the proactive management of production activities, maintaining high levels of quality in terms of the services provided by the agri-ecosystem. This balance, which ensures sustainability, creates ecological conditions that help preserve the values of nature conservation and biodiversity, including – in the context of plant health and crop protection – exploitable species. Without prejudice to the activities promoting and protecting biodiversity, which form part of the measures to promote rural development and preserve good agricultural and environmental practices, and the more recently introduced climate-friendly and environmentally friendly agricultural practices that farmers are required to implement, these practices must be taken on and adopted gradually by all agricultural and forestry producers within the framework of the Common Agricultural Policy. In addition to measures such as maintaining hedgerows, walls and tree-lined river banks and restricting certain agricultural practices, the proper management of areas bordering cultivation areas can also help maintain populations of beneficial organisms, including auxiliary organisms and pollinators. This is done to mitigate possible adverse effects on these populations caused by direct exposure to PPP during application in areas where the land is treated with PPP. The actions of pollinators have a direct impact on the biodiversity of wild plants and the life that they support and vice versa. Indeed, a wide range of pollinators favouring different flowers and pursuing different activities throughout the day and seasons is essential for the plant life of ecosystems. There are various ecosystem factors that come into play when it comes to promoting pollinators, including honey bees. This means that agricultural and farm and forestry management practices must be fostered that favour and boost populations of auxiliary organisms, including pollinators. The objective in question is presented below, alongside the measures and indicators relevant for this line of action. 37 Objective 16: To promote the adoption of agricultural and forestry practices that protect biodiversity and auxiliary organisms, including pollinators, and monitor the effects of plant protection products on, and the risks of such products to, these organisms Measure 23: Promote sustainable biodiversity management practices (on agricultural and forestry holdings, in urban and recreational areas and thoroughfares). Description: The aim is to raise awareness so that professional users adopt practices that promote the protection of beneficial organisms in particular and biodiversity in general, which also represent added value for agricultural and forestry activity, in urban and recreational areas and thoroughfares. The aim is also to increase knowledge of the effects of plant protection products on auxiliary organisms, including pollinators, and to communicate the risks posed by such products to these organisms in accordance with legislation. Coordination: DGAV. Actions: 1. Adopt the indicators laid down in the RDP and cross-compliance checks on promoting biodiversity on agricultural and forestry holdings and ensure that these indicators are monitored; 2. Propose adopting, as regards cross-compliance, indicators on PPP use in relation to the legal requirements on managing biodiversity; 3. Promote measures to check the use of deflectors in sowing equipment; 4. Propose incorporating measures to monitor the effects of PPP on bees into the National Plan on Bee Health; 5. Raise awareness of the risks posed by PPP to bees and other pollinators and of the measures to mitigate such risks on agricultural and forestry holdings and in recreational areas; 6. Promote awareness-raising measures on good practice for promoting biodiversity. Schedule: During the time that the PANUSPF is in force. Targets: Carry out at least two checks on sowing equipment per year; Promote the implementation of at least one awareness-raising measure per year. Implementing bodies: DGAV, DRAP, ANIPLA, GROQUIFAR, DGADR, ICNF; APG, Beekeeping federations, farmers’ and forestry producers’ organisations. Relevant indicators: I91; I92; I93; I94; I95; I96; I97; I98; I99. 38 2.5. Strategic axis 3: Promotion of sustainable agricultural and forestry production systems Steps must be taken to encourage the development and use of alternative approaches to pest control and to reduce our dependency on plant protection products, with the aim of promoting agriculture with high consumer standards and maintaining the quality and quantity of the foods produced, as well as taking action to minimise the adverse impact on forest ecosystems, while encouraging natural mechanisms to combat harmful biotic agents. In this connection, the aim is to encourage all professional users to apply the general principles and specific guidelines on integrated pest management to the different crops and forest species. Consideration has also been given under this strategic axis to combating the illegal application of plant protection products, bearing in mind that the precautionary principle is inherent for their authorisation for use: it is not permitted to use any plant protection product the use of which has not been proven to be safe and therefore that has not been authorised. The following policy areas have been defined:  Adopting general principles on integrated pest management;  Promoting the adoption of production methods that involve the low use of chemical products;  Providing protection methods to boost the competitiveness of agricultural and forestry production;  Promoting the responsible marketing and use of plant protection products. 2.5.1. Adopting general principles on integrated pest management Under this policy area, and in accordance with Law No 26/2013, the necessary conditions need to be put in place to adopt general principles on integrated pest management, as well as appropriate incentives to apply the crop-specific guidelines. The implementation of integrated pest management must be monitored so as to guarantee that all professional users apply these general principles. The following lines of action were therefore defined:  Providing professional users with information and instruments to support their decision making;  Raising awareness of, and providing advice to, professional users on integrated pest management;  Monitoring the implementation of integrated pest management. Although the above-listed lines of action had been defined, during the period in which the previous PANUSPF was in force no significant progress was recorded in terms of promoting the adoption of general principles on integrated pest management, not only because it was a difficult challenge in itself to assess whether farmers had actually adopted these principles but also because it was not possible to achieve the above-mentioned targets. There is therefore a pressing need for the PANUSPF 2018-2023 to be able to provide new impetus for the above-mentioned measures and actions, 39 which can also pave the way for initiatives with different partners. These partnerships will lead to professional users adopting these IPM principles effectively. 2.5.1.1. Providing professional users with information and instruments to support their decision-making Although, during the period that the PANUSPF 2013-2018 was in force, a start was made on the technical review of the 72 documents on technical standards supporting the application of integrated pest management principles for major crops or crop groups, only the manual on olive trees was actually reviewed. Therefore, while recognising the importance of these support documents, during the 2018-2023 period, priority must be given to relaunching the update of the technical standards. To this end, working groups will have to be set up on specific crops or crop groups and they will have to be provided with input from experts with recognised competence and practical experience related to the crop or crop group in question in order to facilitate their operation. These working groups will be set up with the specific goal of reviewing and updating each technical standard and their work will be coordinated and monitored by the DGAV. It is also important to re open the discussion on the model field book, so that its use can gradually be adopted by all farmers. In the light of the above, the objective, targets, indicators and measures to be implemented under this Plan are set out below, in order to ensure that general principles on integrated pest management are applied appropriately. Objective 17 To foster the provision of information and instruments to professional users to support their decision-making with regard to integrated pest management Measure 24: Provide all professional users with technical information on integrated pest management. Description: The aim is to promote and reinforce the provision of technical information to professional users to guarantee that the principles of integrated pest management are applied. Coordination: DGAV. Actions: 1. Set up working groups per crop or crop group to draft technical guides; 2. Gather and compile all the information available on crop protection; 3. Disseminate the available information on crop protection by means of social media and information systems; 4. Bring together the existing information on alternative protection methods and make it available to users; 5. Promote the general adoption of the field book by all professional PPP users. Schedule: During the time that the PANUSPF is in force. 40 Targets: Make updated technical guides available for at least two crops/crop groups each year. Guarantee that the infringement rate for field books is, at most, 1% of farmers/appliers subject to checks by the end of the period in which the PANUSPF is in force. Implementing bodies: DGAV, DRAPs, DGADR, CAP; CONFAGRI, CNA; AJAP; ANIPLA; INIAV; higher education institutions, ICNF, farmers’ and forestry producers’ organisations. Relevant indicators: I99; I100 2.5.1.2. Raising awareness of, and providing advice to, professional users on integrated pest management Raising awareness of, and providing advice to, professional users on integrated pest management can be achieved in various ways: activities to raise awareness and provide advice carried out by experts with specific and recognised training in integrated pest management, and advice provided by the National Agricultural Warning Service (Serviço Nacional de Avisos agrícolas – SNAA) and the Farm Advisory Service (Serviço de Aconselhamento Agrícola – SAA). Technical support for integrated pest management practices must be provided by technical experts with recognised expertise in this area pursuant to Decree-Law No 256/2009 of 24 September 2009, as amended by Decree-Law No 37/2013 of 13 March 2013, and who provide this service individually or through a body to which they belong. The recognition of technical experts in this area shows that it is vital to have essential specific training for technical experts and farmers so that they can acquire the necessary skills. Although this technical support is not compulsory, it does allow professional users to apply the general and specific principles inherent to this protection method. The National Agricultural Warning Service (SNAA) under the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development (Ministério da Agricultura, Florestas e Desenvolvimento Rural – MAFDR) has an important role to play in this respect. In terms of providing professional users with advice, it provides specific technical information so that they can choose appropriate protection methods and, with regard to chemical protection methods, it promotes the supported use of products that are less hazardous to human health and the environment. Reference should also be made to the important role played by the Farm Advisory Service (SAA), pursuant to the application of Article 12 of Regulation (EC) No 73/2009 of 19 January 2009. The SAA’s aim is to provide farm advisory services to raise farmers’ awareness of legislation on sustainable agriculture and help them comply with the said legislation. 41 Objective 18 To promote raising awareness of, and providing advice on, integrated pest management Measure 25: SNAA dissemination of information and decision-making instruments. Description: The aim is to boost the SNAA’s visibility and increase the percentage of agricultural territory covered by the technical information provided by this service. Coordination: DGAV Actions: 1. Identify the public and private bodies that currently disseminate information to provide decision-making support; 2. Promote incorporating private bodies into the SNAA; 3. Guarantee that technical information is issued by the Warning Stations only in accordance with the principles of integrated pest management. Schedule: During the time that the PANUSPF is in force. Targets: All Warning Stations issue technical information to their users drafted in accordance with integrated pest management principles. Ensure that warnings are issued to all interested parties in all NUTS II areas. Implementing bodies: DGAV, DRAPs, farmers’ and forestry producers’ organisations. Relevant indicators: I100; I101; I102. Measure 26: SAA dissemination of information and decision-making instruments Description: The aim is to increase the national coverage of the Agricultural Advisory Service as a vehicle for promoting practices that are consistent with the principles of integrated pest management and the sustainable use of plant protection products. Coordination: DGADR Actions: 1. Identify the farmers’ and forestry producers’ organisations that currently disseminate information to provide decision-making support; 2. Promote the active support of the SAA to farmers. 42 Schedule: During the time that the PANUSPF is in force. Targets: Annual dissemination to the coordinating body of the number of farmers receiving agricultural advice under the SAA. Implementing bodies: CAP, CNA, CONFAGRI, AJAP. Relevant indicators: I103. 2.5.1.3. Monitoring the implementation of integrated pest management. With a view to evaluating the progress made in reducing the risks to, and negative effects on, human health and the environment as a result of PPP use, monitoring plans must be implemented that make it possible to assess the progress made in applying the general principles of integrated pest management, based on a sample of professional users and previously defined criteria. In this respect, Measure 24: ‘Provide all professional users with technical information on integrated pest management’ also applies, as do the actions set out under the measure listed below, in terms of promoting the adoption and correct application of the general principles of integrated pest management, which at national level have vitally important partners: the technical experts with specialist training in IPM or IP. Objective 19: To guarantee the adoption and correct application of the general principles of integrated pest management (IPM), integrated production (IP) and organic production (OP). Measure 27: Develop technical support in relation to integrated pest management and the different types of production. Description: Professional users must be provided with the technical knowledge needed to take decisions responsibly. Coordination: DGAV/DGADR Actions: 1. Promote the recognition of technical experts who can provide technical support for IP and OP. 2. Raise awareness that technical experts are available who can provide technical support for IP and OP. 3. Promote IP- and OP-awareness-raising activities. Schedule: During the time that the PANUSPF is in force. Targets: Carry out at least two activities per year. 43 Implementing bodies: DGAV, DGADR, DRAPs, ANIPLA, farmers’ and forestry producers’ organisations, operational centres. Relevant indicators: I105; I106; I107; I108 2.5.2. Promoting the adoption of production methods that involve the low use of chemical products. In order to reduce or minimise risks to human health and the environment, the aim is to promote reducing PPP use to levels considered to be economically and ecologically acceptable and, in this way, adopt sustainable production methods: organic farming and integrated production. The line of action on raising the awareness of, and providing advice to, professional users on organic farming and integrated production was defined accordingly. 2.5.2.1. Raising awareness of, and providing advice to, professional users on organic farming and integrated production. Responsibility for providing technical support for organic farming and integrated production lies with the technical experts recognised to do this, who provide support individually or through a body to which they belong. To this end, incentives must be provided to recognise the technical experts who provide technical assistance to professional users adopting sustainable production methods and to foster the acquisition of specific competencies. Similarly, farmers must be made aware of the added value provided by the appropriate technical assistance given to them. The technical standards and technical guidelines needed to implement these production methods must be made available and disseminated widely. The results of the testing activities carried out within the Rexia2 network must also be converted into sustainable plant protection and agricultural production practices. The actions provided for under Measure 27: ‘Develop technical support in relation to integrated pest management and the different types of production’ are important for the implementation of this line of action, as are those provided for under Measure 28 below: Measure 28: Disseminate technical standards on IP and OP. Description: The aim is to promote the dissemination of technical information to ensure that production standards are met. Coordination: DGAV/DGADR Actions: 44 1. Set up working groups per crop or crop group to draft technical standards; 2. Gather and compile all the information available on crop protection systems; 3. Disseminate the available information on IP and OP. Schedule: During the time that the PANUSPF is in force. Targets: Make updated technical guides available for at least two crops/crop groups each year. Implementing bodies: DGAV, DRAP, DGADR, CAP; CONFAGRI, CNA; AJAP; ANIPLA; INIAV; operational groups, higher education institutions, farmers’ organisations. Relevant indicators: I4; I121; I122. 2.5.3. Providing protection methods to boost the competitiveness of agricultural and forestry production. With a view to ensuring the viability of sustainable agricultural and forestry production, the following line of action was chosen for this policy area: 2.5.3.1. Ensure sufficient resources for plant protection while ensuring a level playing field. We do not arrive at solutions for emerging and future plant health problems solely by making active substances more available and searching for alternative solutions; we must also redefine strategies for protecting crops and controlling pests and invest in the plant protection industry, in order to place on the market plant protection products that represent added value, either because they contain new active substances or because they represent new solutions that have an advantage over existing authorised plant protection products (in the case of new mixtures). The use of already authorised products should also be extended for other purposes. The aim is to help provide professional users with faster and relatively undifferentiated access to new plant protection products in comparison with other southern European Member States, reducing restrictions on competition that may help reduce the illegal trade in such products. Some legal measures are envisaged to increase the availability of plant protection products, since the authorisations granted by one Member State must be accepted by other Member States, provided that their agricultural, plant health and environmental (including weather) conditions are comparable. In this connection, the actions already taken – the results of which are set out in the PANUSPF 2013-2018 Implementation Report – must be continued, but measures, targets and indicators likely to be implemented to promote a more harmonised PPP market are also included. 45 Objective 20: To reduce the number of purposes not covered or insufficiently covered and increase the availability of alternative sustainable plant protection methods (organic, physical, biotechnical or other non-chemical methods). Measure 29: Promote access to information on plant protection products. Description: The aim is to ensure that professional users and the general public have full and up-to-date information on all plant protection products and their respective authorised uses. Coordination: DGAV Actions: 1. Implement the information technology system (sistema tecnológico de informação – SIFITO) for the authorisation of plant protection products and real-time communication of authorisations granted, amended and withdrawn; 2. Ensure that information on authorisations, cancellations and amendments to authorisations granted for plant protection products is disseminated. 3. Conduct satisfaction surveys among PPP information users. Schedule: During the time that the PANUSPF is in force. Targets: - SIFITO up and running by the end of 2023; Conduct at least one survey per year, once SIFITO is up and running. Implementing bodies: DGAV Relevant indicators: I25. Measure 30: Increase the availability of new solutions with regard to plant protection products and promote a level playing field with regard to access to protection methods. Description: Ensure sufficient resources for plant protection while ensuring a level playing field. Coordination: DGAV Actions: 1. Promote the submission of applications for minor use for purposes not at all covered; 2. Increase applications for mutual recognition of authorisations granted in another Member State; 46 3. Increase applications for authorisation for sale for purposes of a national interest. Schedule: During the time that the PANUSPF is in force. Targets: Annual increase in the number of plant protection products representing added value for plant health. Implementing bodies: Plant protection industry; DRAPs and farmers’ organisations. Relevant indicators: I113; I114; I117; I118. Measure 31: Register auxiliary species. Description: Create legal conditions for promoting the sustainable use of auxiliary species in plant protection. Coordination: DGAV Actions: 1. Define the legal framework for auxiliary species; 2. Implement the registration system for auxiliary species; 3. Review the legal framework for invasive species. Schedule: During the time that the PANUSPF is in force. Targets: Legal framework defined and implemented by the end of 2023. Implementing bodies: ICNF, DGAV, INIAV, DRAPs, farmers’ and forestry producers’ organisations. Relevant indicators: I119. Measure 32: Foster the use of practices and techniques other than PPP use. Description: Reduce the dependency on chemical protection methods through all the techniques and practices for use in farm and forestry management that contribute directly or indirectly to this aim. Coordination: DGAV 47 Actions: 1. Identify the bodies that disseminate technical information; 2. Update and disseminate technical information documents for the adoption of general principles on IPM; 3. Promote the updating and dissemination of technical guides on IP and OP; 4. Disseminate existing information on protection methods other than chemical ones; 5. Set up and/or maintain demonstration plots to promote and disseminate good IPM practice. Schedule: During the time that the PANUSPF is in force. Targets: Set up at least one demonstration plot per region by the end of 2023. Implementing bodies: DGAV, DGADR, DRAPs, INIAV, higher education institutions, vocational education bodies specialising in agriculture, farmers and forestry producers’ organisations, operational centres. Relevant indicators: I1; I2; I3; I4; I111; I112; I113; I114; I115; I116. 2.5.4. Promoting the responsible marketing and use of plant protection products. Good practices as regards the distribution, sale and use of plant protection products guarantee the health and safety of professional users, whether those practices are imposed by the users themselves, on the advice of other professionals or as a result of user inspections and checks. With regard to this policy area, the aim is not only to make the market in illegal products unworkable by preventing it from operating throughout the marketing chain, from the point of entry at national borders, but also to ensure that the labelling of products in the marketing chain complies with existing legislation. The following lines of action for this policy area have therefore been determined:  Step up inspections on plant protection products in the marketing chain.  Step up checks on the use of plant protection products. 2.5.4.1. Step up inspections on plant protection products in the marketing chain. The success of any regulatory system implemented can and must be evaluated on the basis of proper monitoring and checks, which are ultimately able to confirm whether there is actual compliance with the legal provisions in force. This model is of course applicable to the placing on the market of plant protection products. It is important to assess in the field 48 and, in particular, with regard to this line of action, whether the products placed on the market comply with the conditions authorised by the competent authority, in order to ensure that the said products are handled and used with due care. Therefore, where this line of action is concerned, it is important to refer back to Measure 13: ‘Inspection of the marketing, distribution and application of plant protection products’, as the actions and indicators set out under that measure are also applicable here. It is also necessary to supplement inspection activities on the marketing and distribution of plant protection products with checks on the quality and labelling of these products, which form an integral part of this objective, in accordance with the measure indicated below. Objective 21 To ensure that plant protection products comply with the conditions under which their authorisations were granted. Measure 33: Inspection and monitoring of labelling, packaging and respective formulations. Description: The aim is to strengthen inspection activities of plant protection products on the market. Coordination: DGAV Actions: 1. Prepare an Inspection Plan for plant protection products each year and ensure that it is implemented; 2. Ensure that plant protection products are placed on the market in accordance with the conditions under which their authorisations were granted. Schedule: During the time that the PANUSPF is in force. Targets: - Incorporate at least 5% of authorised plant protection products into the annual control plan; Reduce the number of infringements detected during quality control of formulations and labelling, not exceeding the average values observed between 2016 and 2018. Implementing bodies: DGAV/ASAE Relevant indicators: I120; I121; I122; I123; I124; I125. 2.5.4.2. Strengthen checks on the use of plant protection products and combat the illegal use of plant protection products. In accordance with the point above, and in addition to the inspections on commercial activities relating to plant protection products, these inspections should be extended to plant protection users. Accordingly, Measure 11: ‘Monitor and 49 supervise food of plant and animal origin’ and Measure 14: ‘Monitoring the appropriate use of plant protection products’ and their respective actions are taken up again. 50 3. Implementation of the monitoring and supervision activities to ensure compliance with the objectives laid down in the National Action Plan. Article 50 of Law No 26/2013 lays down that indicators must be set out to assess the impact of the measures put in place to reduce the risks associated with the use of plant protection products. Various indicators have been set out in the PANUSPF according to the objective to be achieved, some of which have been used before in relation to plant protection products, while others have been introduced for the first time. The proposed indicators are essentially descriptive and are therefore easy to implement and interpret, thus providing a general overview of the real circumstances to be examined. Listed below are the different indicators set out in the PANUSPF, categorised according to type and linked to the different measures set out in the Plan. No Indicator Responsible body I1: No of projects incorporated into operational groups important for the sustainable use of plant protection products INIAV I2: No of RTD projects under way or started during the period in which the PANUSPF is in force DGADR I3: No of Technical Bulletins disseminated DGADR I4: No of IP testing, research and demonstration fields active DGADR I5: Revision and updating of regulations (legislation, specific regulations and guidelines and guidelines for compulsory training courses) (Y/N) DGADR I6: No of training bodies certified per course type/year DGADR I7: No of training activities approved per course type/year DGADR I8: No of activities with approved certificates per course type/year DGADR I9: No of learners with approved certificates per course type/year DGADR I10: No of knowledge tests carried out/year DGADR I11: No of professional users trained through knowledge tests/year DGADR I12: No of updates to knowledge tests/year DGADR I13: No of qualifications (cards) per type of professional user/year DGADR I14: No of renewed qualifications (cards) per type of professional user/year DGADR I15: No of aerial agricultural operators trained/year DGAV I16: No of recognised trainers per course type/year DGADR I17: No of activities funded per course type/year DGADR I18: No of trainers registered on the platform DGADR I19: No of technical visits to provide technical-pedagogical support carried out in relation to training activities per course type/year DGADR I20: No of professional users registered on the platform per course type/year DGADR I21: Content of b-learning training activities defined (Y/N) DGADR I22: No of b-learning activities funded per course type/year DGADR I23: No of information/awareness-raising activities for non-professional users carried out DGAV I24: No of information/awareness-raising activities for professional users carried out DGAV I25: No of times DGAV Internet site users access the area on plant protection products DGAV I26: No of topics with FAQS disseminated DGAV I27: No of user queries replied to DGAV I28: No of activities to raise the awareness of the general public DGAV I29: No of training activities for control bodies carried out/year DGAV I30: Total No of samples tested DGAV I31: Total No of different foods for human and animal consumption tested DGAV 51 No Indicator Responsible body I32: No of MRL infringements posing a risk to the consumer DGAV I33: No of MRL infringements in relation to the No of pesticide samples investigated ASAE/IRAE/ARAE I34: No of distribution and sales establishments licensed/year DGAV/DRAPs I35: No of enterprises/entities applying plant protection products licensed/year DGAV/DRAPs I36: No of distribution and sales establishments inspected/year ASAE/IRAE/ARAE I37: No of infringements regarding responsible sales ASAE/IRAE/ARAE I38: No of enterprises/entities applying plant protection products inspected/year ASAE/IRAE/ARAE I39: No of infringements regarding land use by companies applying plant protection products ASAE/DRAPs/DGAV I40: No of holdings subject to checks under the PCPP-HUSPF DGAV I41: No of holdings benefitting from assistance subject to cross-compliance checks IFAP I42: % of infringements concerning the conditions for use of plant protection products authorised under the PCPP-HUSPF DGAV/DRAPs I43: % of infringements concerning the conditions for use of plant protection products authorised under cross-compliance checks IFAP I44: Approval rate for application equipment inspected during the first inspection DGAV/CIPPs I45: No of application equipment inspected by CIPPs/year CIPPs/DGAV I46: No of CIPPs licensed/year CIPPs/DGAV I47: No of CIPPs/NUTS II region/year CIPPs/DGAV I48: No of CIPPs subject to supervision activities DGAV I49: No of non-conformities detected during supervision activities carried out on CIPPs DGAV I50: % of equipment inspected with anti-drift nozzles during inspection activities CIPPs/DGAV I51: No of inspectors for PPP application equipment certified/year CIPPs/DGAV I52: No of inspections of new PPP application equipment/year CIPPs/DGAV I53: No of new PPP application equipment placed on the market/year DGADR/DGAV I54: No of queries concerning PPE use replied to DGAV I55: No of non-conformities concerning the sale or use of PPE suitable for the activity/category of plant protection product(s) for which it is required DGAV/ASAE/DRAPs/IFAP I56: Quantity (kg) of specialist application products that do not have a specialist operator number registered in the sales register DGAV/ASAE I57: Quantity (kg) of specialist application products found in operator warehouses without the necessary approval DGAV/ASAE I58: Quantity (kg) of products applied by operators without the necessary approval DRAPs I59: No of infringements concerning the sale of PPP not for professional use ASAE I60: No of awareness-raising activities for non-professional users carried out DGAV/APED I61: No of establishments supporting information activities for non-professional users DGAV/APED I62: Check rate on aerial application DRAPs I63: % of non-conformities concerning aerial application DRAPs I64: Check rate on derogations granted under Decree-Law No 35/2017 DRAPs I65: Check rate on entities and enterprises authorised to apply PPP in urban areas, recreational areas and thoroughfares DRAPs/ASAE I66: No of infringements confirmed concerning the application of PPP in urban areas, recreational areas and thoroughfares DRAPs/ASAE I67: No of incidents involving adults and PPP DGAV/INEM I68: No of incidents involving children and PPP DGAV/INEM I69: No of reports to the CIAV concerning PPP-related poisoning INEM I70: No of reports issued under the Emergency Plan DGAV/ERSAR I71: Percentage of surface water bodies classified as being ‘in good condition or better’ with regard to compliance with environmental quality standards laid down for pesticides APA I72: Percentage of groundwater bodies classified as being ‘in good condition’ with regard to compliance with environmental quality standards laid down for pesticides APA I73: No of training, awareness-raising and information activities incorporating specific content on protecting water resources DGADR/DGAV, ANIPLA 52 No Indicator Responsible body I74: No of plant protection products authorised containing priority substances DGAV I75: Quantity of plant protection products containing priority substances placed on the market (active substance content) DGAV I76: No of plant protection products hazardous to the aquatic environment/Total No of plant protection products placed on the market DGAV I77: Quantity of PPP that are hazardous to the aquatic environment placed on the market (active substance content) DGAV I78: No of low-risk PPP/Total No of PPP placed on the market DGAV I79: Quantity of low-risk PPP placed on the market (active substance content) DGAV I80: Rate of infringements concerning the parametric values for pesticides in water for human consumption ERSAR I81: Quantity of PPP waste packaging collected/year (T) APA/DGAE I82: No of collection points for PPP packaging waste APA/DGAE I83: Quantity of PPP packaging placed on the market (T) APA/DGAE I84: Collection rate for used PPP packaging waste under 250L/kg APA/DGAE I85: Collection rate for used PPP packaging waste above 250L/kg APA/DGAE I86: Rate of recycling/reclamation for PPP packaging waste APA/DGAE I87: Rate of recycling/reclamation for packaging waste for PPP-treated seeds APA/DGAE I88: No of enterprises using (D/DV/V) a seed packaging management system APA/DGAE I89: Quantity of residues of obsolete plant protection product collected (T) DGAV/DGAE I90: No of agricultural holdings with MIRR (integrated waste registration) APA I91: No of low-risk PPP authorised during the period in which the PANUSPF is in force DGAV I92: The indicators laid down in the Rural Development Plan/agri-environmental measures DGADR/ICNF I93: No of awareness-raising activities incorporating biodiversity protection DGAV I94: No of projects approved by the operational groups important for biodiversity protection INIAV I.P. I95: No of reports involving the use of products hazardous to bees/year Beekeeping federations I96: No of incidents involving bees reported to the DGAV resulting from the use of plant protection products Beekeeping federations I97: Presence rate of deflectors in seeders DRAPs I98: No of holdings subject to checks with biodiversity protection measures DRAPs I99: No of crops with technical guides defined/revised for IPM DGAV/DGADR I100: No of SNAA subscribers/year DGAV I101: No of times the SNAA area of each Warning Station is accessed DGAV I102: No of SNAA subscribers/No of SNAA beneficiaries Farmers’ confederations I103: No of farmers having signed up to the SAA Farmers’ confederations I104: Field book take-up rate on checked holdings DGAV I105: No of awareness-raising activities carried out per region (NUT II) DGAV I106: No of IP-qualified technical experts DGADR I107: No of farmers with IP- and OP-certified production/year DGADR I108: No of IP-qualified technical experts DGADR I109: No of technical experts on the list of IP- and OP-qualified technical experts DGADR I110: No of farmers checked by IP and OP certification bodies DGADR I111: No of crops or crop groups with technical guides defined/revised for IP DGADR I112: No of testing fields run under REXIA2 DGAV I113: No of purposes considered not covered and/or insufficiently covered/Total No of purposes covered DGAV I114: No of plant protection products based on non-chemical substances authorised/Total No of products authorised for sale DGAV I115: No of plant protection products hazardous to bees/Total No of plant protection products placed on the market DGAV I116: No of products toxic to humans placed on the market/Total No of products authorised for sale DGAV I117: No of products and purposes authorised on the basis of the MR figure (cumulative) DGAV 53 No Indicator Responsible body I118: No of products authorised on the basis of the MR figure (cumulative) DGAV I119: No of auxiliary species registered DGAV/ICNF I.P. I120: No of infringements concerning the distribution and sale of plant protection products involving illegal products DGAV I121: % of packages detected with illegal labelling during checks Police authorities I122: No of packages checked/year DGAV I123: No of samples tested under the PNCF DGAV I124: No of non-compliant samples with authorisation granted/No of samples tested under DGAV checks DGAV I125: % of packages of illegal products collected by waste packaging management systems Waste management bodies 54 ANNEXES 55 Annex I – Working Group This document, which represents the first revision of the PANUSPF, was drafted by the Working Group made up of representatives from various public bodies and private organisations, pursuant to Order No 2194/2018 of the State Secretary for the Environment and the State Secretary for Agriculture and Food, published in the Portuguese Official Gazette, II Series, No 44 of 2 March 2018. The following bodies participated in the Working Group: Direção Geral de Alimentação e Veterinária (DGAV) [Directorate-General for Food and Veterinary Matters], which chaired and coordinated the Working Group. Direção Geral de Agricultura e Desenvolvimento Rural (DGADR) [Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development] Direção Regional de Agricultura do Norte (DRAP Norte) [Regional Directorate of Agriculture for the Northern Region] Direção Regional de Agricultura e Pescas do Centro (DRAP Centro) [Regional Directorate of Agriculture and Fisheries for the Central Region] Direção Regional de Agricultura e Pescas de Lisboa e Vale do Tejo (DRAPLVT) [Regional Directorate of Agriculture for Lisbon and the Tagus Valley Region] Direção Regional de Agricultura e Pescas do Alentejo (DRAP Alentejo) [Regional Directorate of Agriculture and Fisheries for the Alentejo Region] Direção Regional de Agricultura e Pescas do Algarve (DRAP Algarve) [Regional Directorate of Agriculture and Fisheries for the Algarve Region] Instituto de Conservação de Natureza e das Florestas, I.P. (ICNF) [Institute for Nature and Forest Conservation] Agência Portuguesa do Ambiente, I.P. (APA) [Portuguese Environment Agency] Instituto Nacional de Investigação Agrária e Veterinária (INIAV) [National Agrarian and Veterinary Research Institute] Autoridade de Segurança Alimentar e Económica (ASAE) [Economic and Food Safety Authority] Direção Regional de Agricultura e Desenvolvimento Rural (DRADR-Região Autónoma dos Açores) [Regional Directorate of Agriculture and Rural Development of the Autonomous Region of the Azores] Direção Regional de Agricultura e Desenvolvimento Rural (DRADR Região Autónoma da Madeira) [Regional Directorate of Agriculture and Rural Development of the Autonomous Region of Madeira] Confederação dos Agricultores de Portugal (CAP) [Confederation of Portuguese Farmers] Confederação Nacional de Agricultura (CNA) [National Agricultural Confederation] Confederação das Cooperativas Agrícolas e do Crédito Agrícola de Portugal, C. C. R. L (CONFAGRI) [Confederation of Agricultural Cooperatives and Agriculture Credit of Portugal] Associação dos Jovens Agricultores de Portugal (AJAP) [Association of Young Farmers of Portugal] Confederação Nacional dos Jovens Agricultores e do Desenvolvimento Rural (CNJ) [National Confederation of Young Farmers and Rural Development] Federação Nacional das Associações de Agricultura Sustentável, de Proteção Integrada e Produção Integrada (FNAASPPI) [National Federation of Sustainable Agriculture, Integrated Pest Management and Integrated Production Associations] Federação Nacional dos Apicultores de Portugal (FNAP) [National Federation of Portuguese Beekeepers] 56 Associação Nacional da Indústria para a Proteção das Plantas (ANIPLA) [National Association for the Plant Protection Industry] Associação de Grossistas de Produtos Químicos e Farmacêuticos (GROQUIFAR) [Association of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Product Wholesalers] Associação de “Greenkeepers” de Portugal (APG) [Greenkeepers Association of Portugal] 57 Annex II – Representatives of the various bodies making up the Working Group responsible for drafting the National Action Plan for the Sustainable Use of Plant Protection Products Entity Representative DGAV Ana Paula Cruz de Carvalho Ana Bárbara Oliveira Miriam Cavaco Paula Mourão Felisbela Mendes Ricardo Gomes DGADR Sandra Candeias Joaquina Fonseca DRAP Norte Maria Manuel Mesquita Miguel Rebelo Jorge Costa DRAP Centro Diogo Silva Helena Cortez DRAPLVT Paulo Monteiro DRAP Alentejo Rui Rosado José Boazinha DRAP Algarve Celestino Soares ICNF, I.P. José Manuel Rodrigues Sofia Domingues Dina Ribeiro APA, I.P. Sofia Batista 58 INIAV, I.P. Fátima Calouro ASAE Marina Dias IFAP I.P. Fernanda Almeida DRADR Açores João Gouveia DRADR Madeira CAP Jorge Azevedo CNA João Filipe Cláudia Filipe Vanda Silva CONFAGRI David Jorge AJAP Catarina Ramos AVIPE Miguel Cachão ADVID Anabela Nave CNJ António Gadanho Carlos Franco FNAASPPI José Dinis Assunção FNAP João Casaca ANIPLA António Lopes Dias GROQUIFAR Catarina Carvalho APG Joel Nunes Francisco Pinheiro 59 Annex III - Competent Bodies PANUSPF Coordinating Bodies DGAV – Direcção Geral de Alimentação e Veterinária [Directorate-General for Food and Veterinary Matters] DGADR - Direção-Geral de Agricultura e Desenvolvimento Rural [Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development] INIAV I.P. - Instituto Nacional de Investigação Agrária e Veterinária, I.P. [National Agrarian and Veterinary Research Institute] ASAE - Autoridade de Segurança Alimentar e Económica [Economic and Food Safety Authority] APA - Agência Portuguesa do Ambiente, I.P. [Portuguese Environment Agency] ANAC - Autoridade Nacional de Aviação Civil [National Civil Aviation Authority] INEM/CIAV - Instituto Nacional de Emergência Médica) / Centro de Informação Antivenenos [National Institute of Emergency Medicine / Antivenom Information Centre] DRAP - Direções Regionais de Agricultura e Pescas [Regional Directorates for Agriculture and Fisheries) PANUSPF Implementing Bodies DGAV – Direcção Geral de Alimentação e Veterinária [Directorate-General for Food and Veterinary Matters] DGADR - Direção-Geral de Agricultura e Desenvolvimento Rural [Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development] APA I.P. - Agência Portuguesa do Ambiente, I.P. [Portuguese Environment Agency] ANSEME - Associação Nacional dos Produtores e Comerciantes de Sementes [National Association of Seed Producers and Dealers] ANPROMIS - Associação Nacional dos Produtores de Milho e Sorgo [National Association of Maize and Sorghum Producers] APED - Associação Portuguesa das Empresas de Distribuição [Portuguese Association of Distribution Companies] ANIPLA - Associação Nacional da Industria para a Proteção das Plantas [National Association for the Plant Protection Industry] AJAP - Associação dos Jovens Agricultores de Portugal [Association of Young Farmers of Portugal] ANAC - Autoridade Nacional de Aviação Civil [National Civil Aviation Authority] ARAE - Autoridade Regional das Atividades Económicas da Madeira [Madeira Regional Authority for Economic Activities] ASAE - Autoridade de Segurança Alimentar e Económica [Economic and Food Safety Authority] ACT - Autoridade para as Condições de Trabalho [Working Conditions Authority] GROQUIFAR - Associação de Grossistas de Produtos Químicos e Farmacêuticos [Association of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Product Wholesalers] CIPPs - Centros de Inspeção Periódica obrigatória de equipamentos de aplicação de Produtos fitofarmacêuticos [Centres for the compulsory regular inspection of equipment used to apply plant protection products] 60 CAP - Confederação dos Agricultores de Portugal [Confederation of Portuguese Farmers] CONFAGRI - Confederação Nacional das Cooperativas Agrícolas e do Crédito Agrícola de Portugal, CCRL [Confederation of Agricultural Cooperatives and Agriculture Credit of Portugal] CNA - Confederação Nacional da Agricultura [National Agricultural Confederation] ERSAR - Entidade Reguladora de Serviços de Águas e Resíduos [Regulatory Body for Water and Waste Services] FNAASPPI - Federação Nacional das Associações de Agricultura Sustentável, de Proteção Integrada e Produção Integrada [National Federation of Sustainable Agriculture, Integrated Pest Management and Integrated Production Associations] FNAP - Federação Nacional dos Apicultores de Portugal [National Federation of Portuguese Beekeepers] FENAPÍCOLA - Federação Nacional de Cooperativas Apícolas e de Produtores de Mel, F.C.R.L. [National Federation of Beekeeping Cooperatives and Honey Producers] IFAP I.P. - Instituto de Financiamento da Agricultura e Pescas, I.P.[Agriculture and Fisheries Financing Institute] GPP – Gabinete de Planeamento, Políticas e Administração [Planning, Policy and General Administration Office] INE - Instituto Nacional de Estatística [National Statistics Institute] INIAV I.P. Instituto Nacional de Investigação Agrária e Veterinária [National Institute of Agrarian and Veterinary Research] I.P.IRAE - Inspeção Regional das Atividades Económicas dos Açores [Azores Regional Economic Activities Inspectorate] ICNF I.P. - Instituto de Conservação da Natureza e das Florestas [Institute for Nature and Forest Conservation] DRAP - Direções Regionais de Agricultura e Pescas [Regional Directorates for Agriculture and Fisheries] DGS - Direção-Geral de Saúde [Directorate-General of Health] INEM/CIAV - Instituto Nacional de Emergência Médica) / Centro de Informação Antivenenos [National Institute for Emergency Medicine / Antivenom Information Centre] GNR/SEPNA - Guarda Nacional Republicana /Serviço de Proteção da Natureza e do Ambiente [National Republican Guard / Nature and Environment Protection Service] 61 Annex IV Glossary EFSA: European Food Safety Authority APA, I.P. – Agência Portuguesa do Ambiente [Portuguese Environment Agency] APF – Aplicação de Produtos Fitofarmacêuticos (Curso) [Application of Plant Protection Products (course)] CIPPs - Centros de Inspeção Periódica obrigatória de equipamentos de aplicação de Produtos fitofarmacêuticos [Centres for the compulsory regular inspection of equipment used to apply plant protection products] DCAPF – Distribuição, Comercialização e Aplicação de Produtos Fitofarmacêuticos (Curso) [Distribution, Marketing and Application of Plant Protection Products (course)] DCPF- Distribuição e Comercialização de Produtos Fitofarmacêuticos (Curso) [Distribution and Marketing of Plant Protection Products (course)] ECPA – European Crop Protection Association PPE – Personal Protective Equipment ERSAR - Entidade Reguladora de Serviços de Águas e Resíduos [Regulatory Body for Water and Waste Services] FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions GPP –Gabinete de Planeamento, Políticas e Administração [Planning, Policy and General Administration Office] MRL – Maximum Residue Limit OP – Organic Production IP – Integrated Production NEA – Nível Económico de Ataque [Economic Level of Attack] QS – Quality Standard EQS – Environmental Quality Standard CAP – Common Agriculture Policy PANUSPF – Plano de Ação Nacional para o Uso Sustentável dos Produtos Fitofarmacêuticos [National Action Plan for the Sustainable Use of Plant Protection Products] PCPP-HUSPF – Plano de Controlo à Produção Primária, Higiene e Uso Sustentável de Produtos Fitofarmacêuticos [Control Plan on Primary Production–Hygiene and Use of Sustainable Plant Protection Products] RDP – Rural Development Plan PPP – Plant Protection Product IPM – Integrated Pest Management NRCP – National Residue Control Plan 62 AR – Autonomous Region (Madeira and the Azores) MR – Mutual Recognition Y/N – Yes/No SAA – Serviço de Aconselhamento Agrícola [Farm Advisory Service] SNAA – Serviço Nacional de Avisos Agrícolas [National Agricultural Warning Service] SIGECIPP – Sistema de Informação e Gestão de Centros de Inspeção Periódica obrigatória de equipamentos de aplicação de Produtos fitofarmacêuticos [Information and Management System for the Centres for the compulsory regular inspection of equipment used to apply plant protection products] TOPPS – Train Operators to Promote Best Management Practices and Sustainability VALORFITO/SIGERU – Sistema Integrado de Gestão de Embalagens e Resíduos em Agricultura, Lda. [Integrated System for the Management of Agricultural Packaging and Waste]