Action Plan for the Sustainable Use of Plant Protection Products 2013-2015

17 April 2013, No 74 (4880) www.vestnesis.lv OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE REPUBLIC OF LATVIA OP 2013/74.2 Cabinet Order No 146 Riga, 12 April 2013 (Minutes No 18 §34) On the Action Plan for the Sustainable Use of Plant Protection Products 2013-2015 1. Approve the Action Plan for the Sustainable Use of Plant Protection Products 2013-2015 (hereinafter referred to as the “Plan”). 2. Designate the Ministry of Agriculture as the responsible authority for the control of the implementation of the Plan. 3. Make provisions for the execution in 2013 of the measures envisaged in the Plan by the institutions referred to in the Plan in accordance with the State budget funds and foreign assistance funds allocated. 4. Review the matter of the allocation of additional State budget funds for the execution in 2014 and 2015 of the measures envisaged in the Plan in the process of the development of the draft Law on the State budget for 2014 and the draft Law on the medium-term budgetary framework for 2014, 2015 and 2016, alongside proposals from all ministries and central State administration institutions regarding new policy initiatives and additional financing requests submitted with consideration of the financial capacity of the State budget. 5. The institutions involved in the implementation of the Plan shall submit information on the execution of the Plan to the Ministry of Agriculture by 1 February 2016. 6. The Ministry of Agriculture shall prepare, and the Minister of Agriculture shall submit to the Cabinet in accordance with the prescribed procedures by 1 March 2016, an information report on the implementation of the Plan. For the Prime Minister – Minister of Welfare I. Viņķele Minister of Agriculture L. Straujuma LATVIJAS VĒSTNESIS www.vestnesis.lv OP 2013/74.2 17 April 2013, No 74 (4880) 2 (Cabinet Order No 146 of 12 April 2013) Action Plan for the Sustainable Use of Plant Protection Products 2013-2015 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Summary 2 Introduction 4 1. Legislation 5 2. Purpose of the Action Plan 6 3. Areas of action, tasks and measures towards achieving the objective 7 3.1 Granting of approvals for the placement of plant protection products on the market and their use in Latvia 7 3.2 Monitoring in place for the placement of plant protection products on the market 10 3.3 Training of professional users, operators, vendors and advisors of plant protection products 12 3.4 Improvement of the advisory system in the field of plant protection 13 3.5 Consumer protection 15 3.6 Measures towards the protection of the aquatic environment and drinking water 16 3.6.1 Protection of water and the aquatic environment 16 3.6.2 Protection of other living organisms 17 3.7 Reduction of risks associated with the use of plant protection products in specific areas 18 3.8 Comparative assessment of plant protection products in place 18 3.9 Use of non-chemical plant protection products 19 3.10 Measures towards informing the public and awareness-raising regarding the use of plant protection products 19 3.11 System of inspection of equipment for the application of plant protection products in place 21 3.12 Aerial application of plant protection products 23 3.13 Safe handling of plant protection products 23 3.14 Controls of the use of plant protection products in place 25 3.15 Measures towards the implementation of the general principles of integrated pest management 26 3.16 Reduction of the spreading of illegal and counterfeit plant protection products 28 3.17 Indicators for assessing the impact of the use of plant protection products 29 4. Financing required for the implementation of the Plan 30 Summary Plant protection is a key precondition for ensuring harvests and, consequently, competitiveness. The volume of chemical plant protection products present in Latvia is currently one of the lowest in Europe. The national objective that is defined in the Action Plan is to reduce the risks and impact caused by plant protection products on human health and the environment. This Action Plan contains specific targets, tasks and a time table for reducing the risk factors related to the use of plant protection products. As far as possible, plant protection products should be used that pose less of a risk to the environment and to human and animal health. Users of plant protection products must have access to information and, in making decisions regarding the use of plant protection products, they must be able to assess plant protection products in terms of their potential effects on human health and the environment. Information relating to plant LATVIJAS VĒSTNESIS www.vestnesis.lv OP 2013/74.2 17 April 2013, No 74 (4880) 3 protection products must be made available for the general public, in particular regarding the risks and potential acute and chronic effects on human health, non-target organisms and the environment arising from pesticide use and the use of non-chemical alternatives. In order to ensure the availability of appropriate plant protection products in Latvia, there are plans to revise the Register of Plant Protection Products and assess the possibility of expanding the approved uses of plant protection products, and facilitate the registration of plant protection products for small-scale use. of the possibility of applying mutual recognition procedures to ensure that Latvia can perform the functions of an assessor Member State in the northern zone need to be explored. To improve the advisory system in the field of plant protection, it should be ensured that Latvia has trained users, operators and vendors of plant protection products and the professional users of plant protection products deploy tested and safe equipment for applying those products. The new training programme for professional users of plant protection products stresses, more so than previously, the safety of operations, measures for environmental protection, including the need to comply with the requirements indicated on the labelling of plant protection products for the protection of users, operators and employees. Latvia has sufficient reserves of groundwater to supply the population with high-quality drinking water, and this should be preserved in future. The monitoring of surface and groundwater, as well as drinking water, should be improved – including the control of hazardous substances, i.e. pesticides (plant protection products). To ensure compliance with the maximum permissible residue levels of pesticides (plant protection products) in food of plant and animal origin, the members of the European Community, including Latvia, implement annual plant protection product residue control programmes. To make sure that safe crops reach the consumer, work on control programmes and public information must continue. To establish whether the requirements for the use of plant protection products are complied with, control of the use of plant protection products needs to continue in future and information campaigns have to be organised to inform professional users of plant protection products of the relevant legislative provisions. By 1 January 2014, all professional users of plant protection products must implement the general principles of integrated pest management. Professional users, operators, advisors and vendors of plant protection products must be given the opportunity to learn about the principles of integrated pest management. On the basis of the results of the 2011 compliance control of the requirements for the distribution of plant protection products, increased risks relating to the import and distribution of illegal plant protection products have been detected. It is therefore necessary to increase the number of inspections and samples taken. Every year, the State Plant Protection Service initiates administrative violation matters regarding illegal sales of plant protection products. To prevent the illegal distribution and use of plant protection products in Latvia, the system of inspections at cargo customs clearance points must be improved and checks on the use and distribution of plant protection products must continue. Statistical data must be obtained and compiled on the potential extent of the illegal distribution and use of plant protection products in Latvia. One of the objectives of Directive No 2009/128/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 October 2009 establishing a framework for Community action to achieve the sustainable use of pesticides is to establish harmonised risk indicators in the European Union. A system for the calculation of indicators to assess the impact of the use of plant protection products must be created in Latvia. For such a system to be put in place and used, it is necessary to obtain and evaluate statistical data on the plant protection products distributed and consumed. LATVIJAS VĒSTNESIS www.vestnesis.lv OP 2013/74.2 17 April 2013, No 74 (4880) 4 Introduction The Latvian Action Plan for the Sustainable Use of Plant protection Products (hereinafter referred to as the “Action Plan”) has been prepared and will be used towards the achievement of the objective as defined by Directive No 2009/128/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 October 2009 establishing a framework for Community action to achieve the sustainable use of pesticides: to achieve a sustainable use of plant protection products (pesticides) by reducing the risks and impact of pesticide use on human health and the environment. Article 4 of that Directive provides for the drawing up of an action plan and lays down a condition that such an action plan shall be revised at least once every five years. A further objective is to promote the development and introduction of integrated pest management and alternative methods in order to reduce dependence on the use of plant protection products as much as possible. In turn, indicators should be developed to monitor the use of plant protection products containing active substances of particular concern. In this connection, Cabinet Protocol Decision of 13 December 2011 “Draft Regulations on the Placement of Plant Protection Products on the Market” tasked the Ministry of Agriculture with the drafting of an action plan on the sustainable use of plant protection products and submitting it for review by the Cabinet. Discussions on this issue within the European Union began in 2002, when the 6th Environment Action Programme 2002-2012, or 6EAP, was adopted. The European Parliament and the Council recognised the need for further reduction of the effects pesticides, in particular plant protection products, have on human health and the environment. They stressed the need to achieve a more sustainable use of pesticides and encouraged significantly to reduce both pesticide use, in general, and the risk associated with it, while ensuring the necessary protection of crops. Based on this action programme, in the summer of 2006 the Commission issued a number of proposals for draft EU legislation in the field of plant protection, including a directive to ensure the sustainable use of pesticides, which would apply to pesticides used as plant protection products. Already the initial versions of those proposals set out the requirement for each Member State to draw up its own action plans towards the reduction of the risks due to the use of plant protection products. The total output value of agricultural goods at the basic price (with product subsidies) in 2011 was LVL 700 million, representing a significant (15%) growth compared with the preceding year. Of this, crop production accounted for 57.4% and animal farming for 42.6%. In recent years, the crop farming sector has seen the most rapid growth: in 2006, crops accounted for 52 per cent of the total agricultural output (Ministry of Agriculture, 2012 Agricultural Report on the Latvian agriculture in 2011). According to the data of the agricultural census in 2010, 83 400 economically active farms managed 2 879 100 ha of land in Latvia, including 1 796 300 ha of agricultural land. In 2010, a farm managed an average of 34.5 ha of land, which is 9.0 ha or 35.3% more than in 2007. The average area of agricultural land per farm increased by 36.9%: from 15.7 ha in 2007 to 21.5 ha in 2010. Plant protection is a key precondition for ensuring both larger harvests and competitiveness. In comparison to other Member States of the European Union, Latvia has some of the lowest volume of plant protection products distributed to end users. Furthermore, a significant number of farms in Latvia are engaged in organic farming. In 2011, there were 3 484 organic farms that managed 184 120 ha or roughly 10% of the total agricultural land nationwide. Even though the number of certified organic farms has tended to decline in recent years, the area of agricultural land increases slightly from year to year. In 2010, the area of certified organic land increased by 10% (Ministry of Agriculture, 2012 Agricultural Report on the Latvian agriculture in 2011). This Action Plan contains specific targets, tasks and a time table for reducing the risk factors related to the use of plant protection products. These targets and tasks are appropriate and suitable for the situation in Latvia. LATVIJAS VĒSTNESIS www.vestnesis.lv OP 2013/74.2 17 April 2013, No 74 (4880) 5 Previously, the policy planning document Guidelines for the Development of Integrated Plant Protection Policy 2009-2015 was produced in connection with the field of plant protection/pest management, approved by Cabinet Order No 558 of 12 August 2009. Some of the measures envisaged in that document have been included in the Action Plan. The National Development Plan of Latvia for 2014-2020 provides for an area of action entitled “Sustainable management of natural and cultural capital”, as well as an objective to be attained within it: “to stimulate the sustainable use of land and other natural resources and biological diversity through the application of environmentally friendly technologies”. The plan specifies the indicators for the attainment of that objective. Proposals are also being drawn up by the State Plant Protection Service for new policy initiatives for 2014-2016 in budget programme 27.00.00 “Plant health and monitoring of plant circulation”. The proposals that have been developed specify the additional financing required. The Action Plan has been approved by the Farmers’ Parliament, the Agricultural Organisation Cooperation Council and the Latvian Agricultural Cooperatives Association. 1. Legislation The following legislation governs the field of plant protection in the European Union: 1) Directive No 2009/128/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 October 2009 establishing a framework for Community action to achieve the sustainable use of pesticides (hereinafter referred to as the “Directive”); 2) Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 October 2009 concerning the placing of plant protection products on the market and repealing Council Directives 79/117/EEC and 91/414/EEC (hereinafter referred to as “Regulation 1107/2009/EC”); 3) Directive 2009/127/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 October 2009 amending Directive 2006/42/EC with regard to machinery for pesticide application; 4) Regulation (EC) No 1185/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 November 2009 concerning statistics on pesticides. Because Regulation No 396/2005/EC prescribing the maximum residue levels of active substances of plant protection products in agricultural products was adopted earlier, it can be considered that the legal framework for all stages of the plant protection product chain is in place in the European Union. Until the Directive was adopted, a large portion of its requirements had already been stipulated in Latvia by way of national legislation. However, in order to transpose the Directive fully, the legislation in effect were reviewed, and the following legislation were adopted: Amendments to the Plant Protection Law; Cabinet Regulation No 509 of 24 July 2012 “Regulations Regarding the Placing on the Market of Plant Protection Products According to Regulation No 1107/2009”; Cabinet Regulation No 491 of 10 July 2012 “Regulations Regarding Plant Protection Product Application Equipment”; Cabinet Regulation No 949 of 13 December 2011 “Regulations Regarding the Placing of Plant Protection Products on the Market”; LATVIJAS VĒSTNESIS www.vestnesis.lv OP 2013/74.2 17 April 2013, No 74 (4880) 6 Cabinet Regulation No 950 of 13 December 2011 laying down rules on the use of plant protection products; Amendments to Cabinet Regulation No 746 of 15 September 2008 on procedures for the establishment, updating and maintenance of a register of patients suffering from certain illnesses”. A draft Cabinet Regulation is currently being drawn up with regard to the training of the professional users of plant protection products, plant protection product vendors and plant protection advisors. 2. Purpose of the Action Plan Every year, information is gathered in the European Union on plant protection products distributed to end users. Figure 1 of the Action Plan shows that, within the overall context, the volume of chemical plant protection products distributed in Latvia is currently one of the lowest in Europe. Figure 1. Sales of the active substances of plant protection products to end users (in kg per hectare of agricultural land) (Eurostat data for 2008) Based on the data depicted in Figure 2 relating to the sale volume of the active substances of plant protection products between 2005 and 2011, it is possible to calculate that an average of 0.48 kg of active substances of plant protection products was used per hectare of agricultural land. LATVIJAS VĒSTNESIS www.vestnesis.lv OP 2013/74.2 17 April 2013, No 74 (4880) 7 If we assume that the chart included in Figure 1 also describes, in part, the use of plant protection products per hectare of agricultural land nationally, it can be considered that plant protection products are currently not used in Latvia to an extent that would require special measures for reducing the quantity used. Therefore, the national Action Plan for 2013-2018 does not propose a quantitative reduction in the use of plant protection products in Latvia. The national objective defined in the Action Plan that would have to be achieved by Latvia in developing and implementing an action plan for 2013-2015 is to reduce the risks and impact caused by the use of plant protection products on human health and the environment. This objective will be achieved by implementing the areas of action and executing the tasks defined in the Action Plan. 3. Areas of action, tasks and measures towards achieving the objective 3.1 Area of action: Granting of approvals for the placement of plant protection products on the market and their use in Latvia Current situation In Latvia, plant protection products are placed on the market and used after undergoing a comprehensive and scientifically justified assessment in accordance with Regulation 1107/2009/EC. Only where such an assessment provides assurance that a particular plant protection product provides certain benefits to crop production and has no harmful effects on human or animal health or undesirable impact on the environment will the use of that plant protection product be approved in Latvia. By 1 June 2012, 285 plant protection products had been registered with 150 active substances, whereas 161 plant protection products were available on the market. Figure 2. Sales of the active substances of plant protection products to end users in Latvia in 2005-2011 (in tonnes) Aggregate weight of the active substances distributed to end users in Latvia in 2005-2011, tonnes (physical weight) LATVIJAS VĒSTNESIS www.vestnesis.lv OP 2013/74.2 17 April 2013, No 74 (4880) 8 The Plant Protection Law prescribes that the register of the plant protection products approved in Latvia is managed by the State Plant Protection Service (hereinafter referred to as the “Service”). In order to set out more specific procedures for the inclusion of plant protection products in the register, the issuance of various approvals and the clearance of plant protection products for non-professional use, Cabinet Regulation No 509 of 24 July 2012 “Regulations Regarding the Placing on the Market of Plant Protection Products According to Regulation No 1107/2009” has been issued. One of the steps in the registration procedures of plant protection products in Latvia, even before the adoption of Regulation 1107/2009/EC concerning the placement of plant protection products on the market, was the approval of labelling. According to Cabinet Regulation No 950 of 13 December 2011 laying down rules on the use of plant protection products, it shall be allowed to use plant protection products solely for the purpose and against such harmful organisms, which are referred to on the label, without exceeding the indicated dosage, as well as in conformity with the requirements of the label for dilution of plant protection products and preparation of mixtures before use, development stage of crop, number of treatments per season, waiting time from the last treatment until harvesting and restrictions in relation to the protection of human and animal health and the environment. So-called “minor use” presents problems not only in Latvia but also in other Member States of the European Union. Minor use is the use of a plant protection product in the respective Member State on plants or plant products that are not cultivated across large areas in that Member State, or are cultivated across large areas, but the particular harmful organism rarely endangers them. There is often a shortage of plant protection products for such minor use. In Latvia, crops cultivated across small areas are considered to be those crops grown on no more than 10 000 ha. The permit referred to in Article 51 of Regulation 1107/2009/EC provides one possible solution for the problem, but in order to implement it more successfully, the Plan envisages specific tasks for expanding the scope of application of approved plant protection products. In order to be able to implement these tasks and so that the producers of vegetables, fruit and berries could be provided with plant protection products for minor use, financing is required for a supplemental assessment of plant protection products, obtaining additional information and procuring research studies. For instance, if the manufacturers of plant protection products do not have such research at their disposal, it could be acquired from producers’ associations of another Member States that own such research (e.g., in connection with residue trials to ensure that the maximum permissible threshold of active substances and their metabolites will not be exceeded in plants and plant products due to the use of plant protection products). At present, a staff of 14 is currently involved in the assessment of plant protection products and the granting of approvals. As of 14 June 2011, with Regulation 1107/2009/EC entering into effect, experts from the Service have become involved in the zonal process of the assessment of plant protection products: manufacturers of plant protection products select Latvia as the reporting country for the assessment of plant protection products in the northern zone. By 1 June 2012, the Service has represented Latvia as the zonal assessor Member State in the assessment of five new plant protection products and the repeat assessment of 17 plant protection products. Latvia is the rapporteur Member State with respect to the inclusion of one list 4 active substance – tea tree oil – in the European list of approved active substances and nominated as the co-rapporteur Member State for the assessment of two active substances of plant protection products (pyridate and picolinafen) for reinclusion in the European list of approved active substances. Even though the possibility to strengthen the capacity of the Service was already available in 2011, ensuring that two experts would be employed in each section for the assessment of plant protection products and their active substances, there is still the risk that, if the number of the staff involved in the preparation of the assessments of plant protection products and their active substances, a situation may arise in the next five years that Latvia cannot fulfil the responsibilities of a Member State as provided for under Article 75 of Regulation 1107/2009/EC. Furthermore, to prevent, as far as possible, a situation where experts, having acquired the skills to prepare assessments of plant protection products and their active substances, leave for better paid positions LATVIJAS VĒSTNESIS www.vestnesis.lv OP 2013/74.2 17 April 2013, No 74 (4880) 9 with distributors and representations of the manufacturers of plant protection products, competitive remuneration for experts is required that is commensurate with the requirements set out for such experts: i.e., very good knowledge in the fields of environmental and ecotoxicology, chemistry and toxicology, efficiency or the assessment of plant protection product residue, and a very good command of the English language on top of that. If Latvia proves unable to perform the functions of an assessor Member State in the northern zone, the availability of approved plant protection products for agricultural and forestry operators that are suitable for the Latvian conditions will be in danger. The zonal procedure for plant protection product applications and assessment provides that, before an application is made for the assessment of plant protection products, the applicant shall evaluate the usage for which the plant protection product is to be put forward in the respective zone and which Member State could perform the assessment of that plant protection product in the zone. Thereafter, six months before application, the applicant shall notify the Member States within the zone by sending out a notice regarding the proposed application. If a notice is received and it is proposed that Latvia would be the assessor Member State, and the other states within the zone agree to this, Latvia has further opportunities to reach an agreement with the applicant regarding a more advantageous use of the plant protection product to suit the Latvian conditions, the addition of specific crops to the list, or the inclusion of dosages and harmful organisms. On the other hand, if another Member State within the zone is the assessor, the approval for the additional types of usage of that plant protection product will only be possible to obtain two years after the registration of the plant protection product in the zone, should Latvia make an application to supplement the types of usage. Item No Tasks to achieve the objective 3.1.1 Ensure compliance with the requirements of Regulation 1107/2009/EC Measure Implementation Date Responsible entity Outcomes 1. Ensure the preparation of assessments for the inclusion of active substances in the European list of approved active substances and the approval of plant protection products 2013-2015 SPPS In 2013: Assessments regarding 25 plant protection products (including as the rapporteur Member State for five plant protection products) and two active substances (picolinafen and pyridate) for reinclusion in the European list of approved active substances, as a co-rapporteur Member State; In 2014: Assessments regarding 26 plant protection products (including as the rapporteur Member State for five plant protection products); As the rapporteur Member State, to commence the assessment of one active substance (zoxamide) and, as a co-rapporteur Member State, commence the preparation of the assessment of the active substance cyazofamid for reinclusion in the European list of approved active substances. In 2015: Assessments regarding 27 plant protection products (including as the rapporteur Member State for five plant protection products); As a co-rapporteur Member LATVIJAS VĒSTNESIS www.vestnesis.lv OP 2013/74.2 17 April 2013, No 74 (4880) 10 State, commence the preparation of the assessments of the active substances trinexapac and tribenuron for reinclusion in the European list of approved active substances. Tasks to achieve the objective 3.1.2 Facilitate the availability of approved plant protection products for minor use 1. In cooperation with the producers, survey and compile information in the combination “crop and harmful organism” in order to identify the problems: missing plant protection products for controlling a specific harmful organism for a specific crop. By 31 December 2013 SPPS, non governmental organisations (NGOs) Summary on the problem of minor uses in Latvia prepared 2. Based on the summary on minor uses, review the Register of Plant Protection Products with a view to expanding the use of an approved plant protection product 2013-2015 SPPS At least three approvals each year to expand the scope of application of plant protection products intended for minor uses. 3. Based on the summary on minor uses, review the registers of plant protection products of the northern and central zones in cooperation with manufacturers in order to determine the possibility of applying mutual recognition procedures 2013-2015 SPPS At least three approvals of plant protection products for minor uses each year. By applying mutual recognition procedures, the cost of the assessment for an approval to be issued to be covered by the applicant (manufacturer). At least one approval each year if manufacturers do not submit applications and Latvia (State Plant Protection Service) purchases research results from a producers’ association of another Member State that owns such research. 3.2 Area of action: Monitoring in place for the placement of plant protection products on the market Current situation Cabinet Regulation No 949 of 13 December 2011 “Regulations Regarding the Placing of Plant Protection Products on the Market” prescribes the requirements for the placement of plant protection products on the market, the criteria to be applied to points of sale, requirements for the sale, import, export, storage and transportation of plant protection products, the responsibilities of vendors thereof and plant protection advisors, procedures for the provision of information to buyers of a plant protection product and the contents of such information, and procedures for the control of the circulation of plant protection products. LATVIJAS VĒSTNESIS www.vestnesis.lv OP 2013/74.2 17 April 2013, No 74 (4880) 11 This Regulation establishes that plant protection products may only be distributed by those economic distributors that have received a special permit (licence) granting the right to distribute plant protection products. The Service reviews the application, inspects the point of sale or storage site and decides on the granting of a special permit (licence) if the point of sale or storage site complies with the requirements of the legislation governing the circulation of plant protection products. Figure 3. Number of licensed distribution points of plant protection products, 2006-2011 The Regulation also states that the licence owner shall ensure that an employee is present at the sales or storage location who has received a certificate of plant protection product trader or a certificate regarding the right to advise on the use of plant protection products and who, when selling a plant protection product, could advise the purchaser on the potential risk that the particular plant protection product could present to human health and the environment – in particular on the dangers and harmful effects of the products, on the use and storage requirements of the plant protection product and the safe disposal of the packaging of plant protection products, as well as other, low-risk options for controlling harmful organisms. In order to prevent plant protection products intended for professional use from reaching non professional users, for some decades now, registration classes are determined in Latvia when registering plant protection products. Class 1 and 2 plant protection products intended for professional use may only be sold to persons who have special permits (licences) for the distribution of plant protection products or certification of the right to advise on the use of plant protection products, or certification of the rights to use plant protection products. Class 3 plant protection products may be purchased and used by persons without a certificate. This procedure will be maintained in future: with Cabinet Regulation No 949 of 13 December 2011 “Regulations Regarding the Placing of Plant Protection Products on the Market”, criteria have been developed for the granting of plant protection product permits for non-professional use – the registration of plant protection products in registration class 3. The Directive prescribes that Member States should ensure that, by 26 November 2015, distributors have sufficient trained staff in their employment and such persons are available at the time of sale of plant protection products to advise customers as regards their use, health and environmental risks and safety instructions. Furthermore, plant protection products for professional use shall only be sold to persons holding a certificate that entitles them to purchase and use plant protection products. This requirement also existed in Latvia before the Directive took effect. Number of licensed distribution points n u m b e r LATVIJAS VĒSTNESIS www.vestnesis.lv OP 2013/74.2 17 April 2013, No 74 (4880) 12 The Service has been controlling the placement of plant protection products on the market since Latvia regained its independence. In 2011, 226 inspections were carried out to check compliance with plant protection product distribution requirements. A total of 51 negligible violations were identified when inspecting distribution sites, and 21 administrative violation cases were initiated for breaching plant protection product distribution conditions (most frequently, for distributing plant protection products without an official permit [licence], failing to register at points of sale damaged plant protection products or plant protection products whose sell-by date has passed, distributing unregistered plant protection products, distributing plant protection products to persons who do not hold a certificate attesting to having acquired a minimum of knowledge on plant protection or because the economic operator does not hold a special permit [licence] to distribute plant protection products and plant protection products after the sell-by date). Given the increased risk related to the import and distribution of illegal plant protection products (section 3.16 of the Plan), the number of inspections needs to be increased. Item No Tasks to achieve the objective Compliance with the requirements for the distribution of plant protection products ensured Task Implementation Date Responsible entity Outcomes 1. Check the distribution of plant protection products 2013-2015 SPPS In 2013: 226 inspections In 2014-2015: 250 inspections per year 2. Take samples to test the quality of plant protection products. Take samples of products of unknown origin. 2013-2015 SPPS In 2013: 13 samples In 2014: 40 samples In 2015: 40 samples LATVIJAS VĒSTNESIS www.vestnesis.lv OP 2013/74.2 17 April 2013, No 74 (4880) 13 3.3 Area of action: Training of professional users, operators, vendors and advisors of plant protection products Current situation The requirement regarding the training of the users and distributors of plant protection products has been in place in Latvia since the 1990s. In order to be able to purchase and use plant protection products registered under class 1 and 2, persons who do not hold higher or vocational secondary qualifications in agriculture have to complete 18 hours of training to acquire the minimum knowledge regarding plant protection and pass an examination. Persons holding higher or vocational secondary qualifications in agriculture, horticulture or agronomy could forgo the training, but they had to pass an examination on the provisions of the legislation governing the circulation of plant protection products. Every year, there is an average of 1 470 users of class 1 and class 2 plant protection products, i.e., professional users of plant protection products. Figure 4. Number of trained users of plant protection products The legislation governing the distribution of plant protection products also stipulated that in each sales or storage location of plant protection products, an employee must be present who holds an advisor’s certificate entitling that person to provide advice to buyers of plant protection products. By 1 June 2012, 548 individuals were entitled to provide advice on the use of plant protection products, while 7 784 persons had the right to use plant protection products registered under class 1 or class 2. In order to transpose the requirements of the Directive regarding training into the national legislation, the existing procedures were revised and the Plant Protection Law was amended, introducing new or adjusted categories of persons involved in the chain of circulation of plant protection products, with separate training programmes provided for each category (both initial and supplemental): a) operator of the use of plant protection products: a person engaging in the handling of class 1 or class 2 plant protection products (e.g., uses, dilutes plant protection products, prepares mixtures of plant protection products) and has obtained a certificate entitling him or her to engage in such activity; Trained users of plant protection products n u m b e r LATVIJAS VĒSTNESIS www.vestnesis.lv OP 2013/74.2 17 April 2013, No 74 (4880) 14 b) professional user of plant protection products: a person who uses class 1 or class 2 plant protection products in his or her operations or sprays plant protection products from the air and has obtained a certificate entitling him or her to use plant protection products; c) vendor of plant protection products: a person who provides customers with information on the plant protection product on behalf of the distributor of the plant protection product at the point of sale in accordance with the procedures of the legislation governing the placement of the plant protection product on the market and who has obtained a certificate of a vendor of plant protection products; d) plant protection advisor: a person providing advice on the use of plant protection products as a commercial service and has obtained a certificate entitling him or her to provide such advice. A draft Cabinet Regulation is currently being prepared regarding the training of professional users of plant protection products, plant protection product operators, plant protection product vendors and plant protection advisors. Item No Tasks to achieve the objective 3.3.1 Users, operators and vendors of plant protection products are trained in Latvia Measure Implementation Date Responsible entity Outcomes 1. In the transition period to the new training system, ensure the training of the users of plant protection products in accordance with the procedures in effect 1 June 2013 SPPS 750 certificates issued for the acquisition of the minimum knowledge regarding plant protection 2. Include plant protection-related topics in the curricula of vocational, secondary and trade schools By 31 December 2015 MoES/MoA/SPPS 10 curricula supplemented 3. Establish a register of trained professional users, operators, vendors and advisors of plant protection products By 26 November 2013 SPPS A register of trained, professional users, operators, vendors and advisors of plant protection products in place 3.4 Area of action: Improvement of the advisory system in the field of plant protection Current situation Agricultural advising – especially in connection with plant protection issues – has always been attributed great importance. In order to acquire the right to advise users of plant protection products, individuals must undergo training, pass an examination and obtain a certificate. The advisors’ certificates issued to date enabled their recipients to provide advice to buyers of plant protection products at the points of sale and to advise on controlling organisms harmful to crops on the field. Advice on agricultural and non-agricultural commercial activity to rural residents in various regions of the country was provided by SIA Latvijas Lauku konsultāciju un izglītības centrs [Latvian Rural Advisory and Training Centre, LRATC], established in 1991. In the period from 1991 to 1994, LRATC activities were implemented by civil parish advisors, district advisors and a coordination centre in Ozolnieki. Between 1994 and 1997, LRATC operated through district-level agricultural advisory offices and the coordination centre. During this time, civil parish advisors ceased operations due to a shortage of funding, and paid services were developed LATVIJAS VĒSTNESIS www.vestnesis.lv OP 2013/74.2 17 April 2013, No 74 (4880) 15 for those agricultural operators who were able to pay, and international assistance was actively used. Since the restructuring in 1997, LRATC contracts with the Ministry of Agriculture to perform specific tasks at a specified fee covered from State budget funds. At present, 15 crop production consultants provide advice on crop production, including on the use of plant protection products. In addition, until the Plant Protection Law, adopted in 1998, took effect, crop production advice was provided by the Service’s district agronomists. Under national programme “Setting up of agricultural advisory and farm extension services” from 2005 to 2006, the project “Establishment of an advisory system for agricultural farms” was implemented at LRATC (contract No 05/414036/0001/100). As part of the project, advisors were trained and certified by implementing a 210-hour curriculum. This enabled mutual compliance advisors’ certificates to be obtained in the field of the environment, plant health and good agricultural and environmental conditions. As of the end of 2012, two mutual compliance service providers have been recognised: LRATC and SIA Sūbru lauks. Latvian agricultural operators can also receive advice on crop production and pest control from professionals at scientific institutions: the Latvian Plant Protection Research Centre, the Latvian State Fruit Growing Institute, etc. A Latvian Agricultural Cooperatives Association (LACA) operates in Latvia that was established in 2002. LACA is an association that comprises the agricultural services cooperative societies (ASCSs) registered in the Register of Enterprises of the Republic of Latvia, which provide services to their members (agricultural producers) but themselves do not engage in agricultural production. LACA currently has 56 member ASCSs. This cooperative association employs some 20 advisors who provide advice in the field of plant protection. Growers of various crops have also joined in associations. The association of fruit growers and berry growers unites about 400 of the largest fruit growers. The association also includes a number of federations: for growers of cranberries, sea-buckthorn, grapes, etc. Fruit growers and berry-growers can seek advice from approximately 10 advisors in this sector. Vegetable growers have joined together in Society Latvijas Dārznieks [Latvian Horticulturalist], which has approximately 160 vegetable grower members. This sector has a very limited number of advisors: there are only a couple of people nationwide who can provide advice. Advice is also provided by representatives of the manufacturers and distributors of plant protection products. There are about 150 consultants in the country. Representatives of the manufacturers and distributors of plant protection products have formed an association: the Latvian Association of Manufacturers and Vendors of Plant Protection Products (LAMVPPP). There has been a trend in recent years for companies to emerge that are engaged in independent advising on plant protection, autonomous from the manufacturers and vendors of plant protection products: SIA AKPC, SIA Integrētās audzēšanas skola (IAS). A number of agricultural advisory service providers have formed an association, Galvenās lauksaimniecības atbalsta konsultācijas [Main agricultural support advice]. A draft Cabinet Regulation regarding the training of the professional users of plant protection products, plant protection product vendors and plant protection advisors is expected to improve the procedures for training plant protection advisors. Item No Tasks to achieve the objective 3.4.1 Trained advisors are available in Latvia Measure Implementation Date Responsible entity Outcomes 1. In the transition period to the new training system, ensure that the training of plant By 1 June 2013 SPPS/LRATC/IAS 10 advisor certificates issued LATVIJAS VĒSTNESIS www.vestnesis.lv OP 2013/74.2 17 April 2013, No 74 (4880) 16 protection product advisors is in accordance with the procedures in effect. 3.5 Area of action: Consumer protection Current situation In order to ensure compliance with the maximum permissible residue levels (MRL) of pesticides (plant protection products) in food of plant and animal origin, the members of the European Union implement the following annual plant protection product residue programmes: 1) Coordinated multiannual control programme of the Union (CMCP); 2) Multiannual national control programme (MNCP). In order to assess the risk caused by plant protection product residue to consumers and the compliance of certain foodstuffs with the MRL currently in effect, the Commission, in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 February 2005 on maximum residue levels of pesticides in or on food and feed of plant and animal origin and amending Council Directive 91/414/EEC (hereinafter referred to as Regulation No 396/2005/EC) and on the basis of a risk assessment, updates the CMCP every year for the subsequent three years, stipulating the testing of samples of specific food products in order to establish their compliance with specific MRL. The CMCP is updated based on a risk assessment carried out by EFSA, the use of plant protection products in the Community, the results of the CMCP in the previous years and upon consulting the Member States. The Ministry of Agriculture, in cooperation with the services subordinated to it – the State Plant Protection Service and the Food and Veterinary Service – prepares and updates the MNCP annually, in accordance with Article 30(1) of Regulation No 396/2005/EC. The Ministry of Agriculture draws up the MNCP based on the risk factors, and specifies in it the foodstuffs to be sampled, the number of samples and the plant protection products to be analysed. In preparing the MNCP, the Ministry of Agriculture uses the results of the CMCP and MNCP in preceding years and data on the use of plant protection products in Latvia. In order to prevent duplication, the Ministry only includes foodstuffs and MRL in the MNCP that have not been specified in the CMCP for that year. The updated MNCP for the next three years, approved by the Minister of Agriculture, is then submitted by the Ministry to the Commission and EFSA. The Service submits proposals to the Ministry as to which active substances of plant protection products should be included in the MNCP, whereas the Food and Veterinary Service is responsible for the implementation of the CMCP and MNCP. Samples are taken in retail and in wholesale and analysed at the laboratory of the Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment. Every year, the Ministry of Agriculture compiles the results of the CMCP and MNCP and, in accordance with Article 30(3) of Regulation No 396/2005/EC, publishes them on its website. The Food and Veterinary Service reports the results of the CMCP to the European Union and EFSA. The number of samples taken and analyses performed increases every year. For instance, in 2006, 123 samples were taken and 6 003 analyses were performed, while in 2010, 300 samples and 23 421 analyses. In 2011, there was a small decline in the number of samples taken (246), due to limited funds, but more analyses were performed (25 343). In the past three years no instances of the active substances of plant protection products exceeding the MRL have been detected. Several Latvian vegetable growers have become participants of the international Global G.A.P. certification system. One of the requirements under the system is testing the produce for MRL, and the cost of LATVIJAS VĒSTNESIS www.vestnesis.lv OP 2013/74.2 17 April 2013, No 74 (4880) 17 such testing is covered by the agricultural producers themselves. At the end of 2011, Global G.A.P. certificates were awarded to three growers. Item No Area of action 3.5.1 Safe crops ensured for consumers Task Implementation Date Responsible entity Outcomes 1. Inform the public on the results of the monitoring of plant protection product residue, specifying instances where MRL has been exceeded in the plants and plant products of local origin, EU origin or those imported from third countries 2013-2015 Food and Veterinary Service/MoA A report on the results of the monitoring of plant protection product residue drawn up 3.6 Area of action: Measures towards the protection of the aquatic environment and drinking water Current situation 3.6.1 Protection of water and the aquatic environment Cabinet Regulation No 950 of 13 December 2011 laying down rules on the use of plant protection products prescribes special measures for the protection of the aquatic environment and drinking water. The Regulation provides that such plant protection products shall be selected for use as much as possible that potentially may cause less risk to the environment and human and animal health, that are not qualified as dangerous to the aquatic environment and that do not contain priority hazardous substances in accordance with the legislation regarding water management. In order to protect the environment and areas for the extraction of drinking water, plant protection products shall be used in conformity with the requirements referred to in the legislation regarding protective zones. Treatment with plant protection products along railway lines, parts of roads and very permeable territories, as well as permeable territories that are close to surface water or groundwater shall be allowed only in conformity with the requirements referred to in the legislation regarding protective zones and ensuring that plant protection products do not run off into surface water or sewerage systems. The Protection Zone Law specifies a number of restrictions with respect to plant protection products: e.g., the use of plant protection products and placement of structures for the storage of plant protection products is prohibited in a 10 metre area to a body of surface water. In accordance with the Water Management Law, a body of surface water is a discrete and significant element of the drainage system of surface water: a watercourse (river, stream, channel or part thereof), water body (lake, pond, water reservoir or part thereof), as well as other transitional waters or a stretch of coastal waters. Where based on the assessment of a plant protection product a wider protective zone is required to bodies of water and watercourses for the protection of aquatic organisms, this is specified in the registration conditions and labelling of the plant protection products (the maximum protective zone established to date is 40 m). The risk limitation phrase “SPe 3. To protect aquatic organisms, respect an unsprayed buffer zone of x metres to surface water bodies and watercourses” is used on product labelling. The Water Management Law prescribes the requirements for the monitoring of surface and groundwater, whereas Cabinet Regulation No 92 of 17 February 2004 “Requirements for the Monitoring of Surface Water, Groundwater and Protected Areas and the Development of Monitoring Programmes” provides for compliance of the requirements specified therein. Surface water quality monitoring in 2010 was provided through 48 monitoring stations, whereas in 2009, through 125 monitoring stations. In 2010, observations of the LATVIJAS VĒSTNESIS www.vestnesis.lv OP 2013/74.2 17 April 2013, No 74 (4880) 18 quantitative status of groundwater took place in 261 boreholes. Cabinet Regulation No 118 of 12 March 2002 “Regulations Regarding the Quality of Surface Waters and Groundwater” defines quality standards for surface water and groundwater. Latvia has sufficient reserves of groundwater to supply the population with high-quality drinking water, and this should also be maintained in future. Artesian waters are mainly used for centralised water supply, whereas groundwater is widely used by rural homesteads and in small population centres. According to the Protection Zone Law, it is prohibited to store and apply plant protection products within protective zones surrounding water extraction sites. Where a groundwater aquifer (not protected from the infiltration of surface pollution) is used for centralised water supply, as well as the method of artificial replenishing of underground water resources, any economic activity is prohibited except economic activity that is related to the extraction of water from the specific water supply well or water extraction site or the maintenance and management of the water extraction and supply facilities. Drinking water quality monitoring takes place in Latvia, which comprises audit monitoring performed by the Health Inspectorate and routine monitoring performed by the water supplier. According to Cabinet Regulation No 235 of 29 April 2003 “Mandatory Harmlessness and Quality Requirements for Drinking Water, and the Procedures for Monitoring and Control thereof”, only those plant protection products shall be detected in drinking water the presence of which is possible. The above Regulation is based on Directive 98/93/EC of 3 November 1998 on the quality of water intended for human consumption, which contains the requirement that pesticides (plant protection products) and their respective metabolites, degradation and reaction products may not exceed 0.10 μg/l, and the aggregate of all the individual pesticides detected in a monitoring procedure and established quantitatively may not exceed a total of 0.50 μg/l. In the quality audit monitoring performed so far, no residue of plant protection products have been detected that exceed the permissible level. 3.6.2 Protection of other living organisms The State Plant Protection Service only registers plant protection products whose use is safe for the environment and humans in accordance with the assessment, calculations and, where necessary, risk-limiting measures performed by the Service. In order to ensure correct usage, products are labelled appropriately, and the Service monitors compliance with the requirements contained within the labelling. Restrictions on use are most frequently prescribed to avoid causing harm to bees, other pollinators and arthropods, and to plants not associated with the use. The labelling of the respective plant protection products contains instructions for the protection of bees: “SPe 8. Dangerous to bees. To protect bees and other pollinating insects do not apply to crop plants when in flower or when flowering weeds are present after 22:00 hours and before 5:00 hours. Do not use where bees are actively foraging, including where there is high bee activity in the area to be treated”. For the protection of arthropods, the following risk-limiting measures are used for some products: “SPe 3. To protect non-target arthropods/insects respect an unsprayed buffer zone of x metres to non agricultural land”; “Note: Allow agriculturally beneficial arthropods into greenhouses no earlier than x days after the last treatment with x”; “SPe 3. To protect non-target arthropods/insects, the product may only be used on the same field once a year”; etc. The following restriction is frequently used for the protection of plants: “Note: To protect the crops and non-target plants grown on adjacent fields respect a buffer zone of x metres to the next field.” The website of the Service, www.vaad.gov.lv, provides free access to the approved texts for the labelling of each product and the instructions for use. Lists of restrictions on the use of registered plant protection products are also available. Lists are regularly compiled containing information on the plant protection products within the Register that are subject to restrictions to protect living organisms and the environment. LATVIJAS VĒSTNESIS www.vestnesis.lv OP 2013/74.2 17 April 2013, No 74 (4880) 19 Item No Tasks to achieve the objective 3.6.1 Ensure the protection of the aquatic environment and drinking water Measures Implementatio n Date Responsible entity Outcomes 1. Inform the public on the results of the monitoring of surface and groundwater and that of drinking water. 2014-2015 State Limited Liability Company [VSIA] Latvijas Vides, ģeoloģijas un meteoroloģijas centrs [Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre] (Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development) and the Health Inspectorate (Ministry of Health) Annual report on the state of Latvian waters, which includes information on the results of the monitoring in accordance with the legislation on the quality of surface and groundwater. 3.7 Area of action: Reduction of risks associated with the use of plant protection products in specific areas Current situation To stop the decline of biodiversity, 327 areas have been included in the Natura 2000 network in Latvia: 4 strict nature reserves, 4 national parks, 237 nature reserves, 37 nature parks, 9 protected landscape areas, 9 natural landmarks, 3 areas of the Northern Vidzeme Biosphere Reserve and 24 micro-reserves. In total these occupy 12%, or 793 265 ha, of the total area of Latvia. These areas are subject to different protection and management regimes: from minimum restrictions in protected landscape areas to the full prohibition of economic activity in strict nature reserves. According to Cabinet Regulation No 264 of 16 March 2010 on general provisions for the protection and exploitation of specially protected natural areas, it is prohibited, in protected nature territories, to use mineral fertilisers and chemical plant protection products in forest stands, with the exception of the landscape protection and neutral zone of the North Vidzeme Biosphere Reserve, as well as except for repellents for frightening away artiodactyls and pheromones for the restriction of tree stem pests. According to Cabinet Regulation No 950 of 13 December 2011 laying down rules on the use of plant protection products, in territories widely used by the public or also more vulnerable groups (for example, in a park, sports field, recreational area, school territory, hospital territory) the use of plant protection products is permitted only if it is not otherwise possible to restrict the spread of organisms harmful to plants, and such use of the particular plant protection product is allowed in the instruction for use. Where possible, a plant protection product is to be used in territories accessible to the general public during hours when people are not present . The possibility of the use of plant protection products in such areas is restricted, with use only being permitted when necessary. If, however, it is necessary to apply a plant protection product in such areas, then at least two days before the use of the product the person responsible places a notification regarding the intended use of plant protection products in the local newspapers of the municipality or civil parish (pagasts) or publishes such information by other means. Furthermore, following the application of the product, the treated area is demarcated with warning signs providing information on the plant protection product used, the waiting period and the time when the treated area may be entered again. LATVIJAS VĒSTNESIS www.vestnesis.lv OP 2013/74.2 17 April 2013, No 74 (4880) 20 3.8 Comparative assessment of plant protection products in place In accordance with Article 50 of Regulation 1107/2009/EC, a comparative assessment shall be performed where a plant protection product contains an active substance approved as a candidate for substitution (a substance causing concern). At this time, a list of substitutes has not yet been established in the European Union, and the Commission plans to do this by the end of 2013. The principles of comparative assessment are also expected to be implemented with respect to the users of plant protection products because, according to Cabinet Regulation No 950 of 13 December 2011 laying down rules on the use of plant protection products, such plant protection products is selected for use as much as possible that potentially may cause less risk to the environment and human and animal health, that are not classified as dangerous to the aquatic environment and that do not contain priority hazardous substances in accordance with the legislation regarding water management. Therefore, users of plant protection products should also have access to information and, in making decisions regarding the use of plant protection products, they must be able to assess plant protection products in terms of their potential effects on human health and the environment. Item No Tasks to achieve the objective 3.8.1 Ensure the possibility of the use of plant protection products that are less dangerous for the environment Measures Implementation Date Responsible entity Outcomes 1. Conduct a comparative assessment of plant protection products 2014-2015 SPPS 20 products assessed each year 3.9 Area of action: Use of non-chemical plant protection products One of the possible measures to reduce the potential risk of chemical plant protection products is the use of non-chemical plant protection products in addressing pest management issues, as much as possible. At present, there is only one plant protection product containing microorganisms on the list of plant protection products registered in the Republic of Latvia, as well as 13 plant protection products containing living organisms, which means greater availability of non-chemical plant protection products to users should be promoted. Item No Tasks to achieve the objective 3.9.1 The possibility of the use of non-chemical plant protection products has been ensured Measures Implementation Date Responsible entity Outcomes 1. Identify the microbiological plant protection products and plant protection products containing live organisms approved in the Member States of the northern and central zone By 1 July 2013 SPPS Information compiled 2. Contact the owners of the registration of microbiological plant protection products regarding the prospect of applying mutual recognition procedures of plant protection products By 31 December 2014 SPPS By applying the registration recognition procedure of plant protection products of another country, five approvals issued for the placement on the market and use of five plant LATVIJAS VĒSTNESIS www.vestnesis.lv OP 2013/74.2 17 April 2013, No 74 (4880) 21 protection products containing microorganisms 3.10 Area of action: Measures towards informing the public and awareness raising regarding the use of plant protection products Current situation In accordance with Article 7 of the Directive, Member States shall take measures to inform the general public and to promote its awareness regarding the use of plant protection products. Such information must be balanced, whereby both the risk posed by plant protection products and the useful effects thereof on agriculture should be explained. In light of the potential risk that may arise due to the use of plant protection products, the public should be better informed about the general effects of their use, which is why the Directive instructs Member States to take measures to inform the general public and to promote and facilitate information and awareness-raising programmes and the availability of accurate and balanced information relating to pesticides, in particular regarding the risks and potential acute and chronic effects for human health, non-target organisms and the environment arising from pesticide use, and the use of non-chemical alternatives. The Plant Protection Law prescribes that the Service shall ensure that all interested persons have an opportunity to obtain information regarding the register of plant protection products and on the use of the products included in it, general information on plant protection products, the risk associated with their use, the effects of plant protection products on human health and the environment, as well as non-chemical alternatives to the use of plant protection products, and once a year shall publish a list of the registered plant protection products. The Service posts information on the register of plant protection products on its website, at http://www.vaad.gov.lv/. In recent years, the Service has developed a partnership with magazines Saimnieks, Agrotops, Dārzs un Drava and Dārza Pasaule, which cover agricultural issues. Since 2011, at the beginning of each year, a plan is drawn up for the articles to be published in each magazine issue. Throughout the year – but especially intensively, during the season – the Service prepares responses to questions posed by visitors to the Service’s website and magazine readers (Praktiskais Latvietis and others). In 2011, at the initiative of the Latvian Association of the Manufacturers and Vendors of Plant Protection Products (LAMVPPP), preparations began for the launching of SUI – the Safe Use Initiative – a project for the safe use of plant protection products. To date, representatives from LAMVPPP and the Service had taken part in the events of similar projects in other countries, thus accumulating knowledge and gaining insight in the experience of other countries so as to adapt such a project to the needs and circumstances of Latvia and implement it in our own country. In coordination with the Service, LAMVPPP has developed a plan of events under the project. As part of the project, measures have been proposed to inform all stakeholders, including the general public, about the safe use of plant protection products. Item No Tasks to achieve the objective 3.10.1 The general public is informed about the use of plant protection products Measures Implementation Date Responsible entity Outcomes 1. Develop a programme for informing the general public, with the involvement of NGOs 31 December 2013 SPPS An approved programme for informing the general LATVIJAS VĒSTNESIS www.vestnesis.lv OP 2013/74.2 17 April 2013, No 74 (4880) 22 public 2. Inform the general public on the use of plant protection products and the control of harmful organisms 2013-2015 LAMVPPP/SPPS/LRA TC Participation in public events and informing of the general public on the use of plant protection products. Release of information leaflets on the use of plant protection products 3. Monitoring and identification of shortcomings (failure to use personal protective equipment when handling plant protection products, in storage areas, etc.) 2013-2015 LAMVPPP/SPPS Resurveying of agricultural operators regarding the use of personal protective equipment in the handling of plant protection products after acquainting themselves with the safe handling of plant protection products 4. Organise an information campaign for agricultural operators on the dangers of illegal and counterfeit plant protection products 2013-2015 SPPS/LAMVPPP Preparation of the information; informing and training agricultural operators and the participating organisations and entities on counterfeit and illegal plant protection products Participation in public events 3.11 Area of action: System of inspection of equipment for the application of plant protection products in place Current situation To date, inspections of equipment for the application of plant protection products have not been mandated in Latvia. According to rough estimates, there are about 8 000 to 10 000 working sprayers in Latvia. These are generally small (with tank volumes between 400 and 600 litres and working widths of 12 metres), tractor-mountable units. However, in recent years, mountable sprayers with wider application spans (24 m and wider) have increasingly been used, with tank volumes above 2 000 litres, as well as self-propelled sprayers. At this time, no active inspections of equipment for the application of plant protection products take place in Latvia, but preparations have been completed to launch them. In 1999, work commenced on developing a certification system for the equipment used in spraying as part of the Latvian-Danish joint project “Bringing Latvian plant protection legislation in line with the requirements of EU standards”. The project continued until the second half of 2011, and the following measures were completed as part of it: Eight high-level project staff members and 15 agricultural professionals were trained in Denmark; An organisational structure was set up in Latvia for trials and adjustments of field sprayers: the main stationary facility (in Priekuļi, VSIA Sertifikācijas un testēšanas centrs) and five mobile units (at five agriculture schools: Priekuļi, Kandava, Malnava, Saulaine and Bulduri); LATVIJAS VĒSTNESIS www.vestnesis.lv OP 2013/74.2 17 April 2013, No 74 (4880) 23 20 training instructors, 20 sprayer inspectors and 20 farmers were trained for this type of work in Latvia; Learning aids and information leaflets were issued; Farmer training plans and curricula were developed and approved. (J.Kažotnieks http://www.laukutikls.lv/lauksaimnieciba/zinas/2221 drizuma lauka smidzinataju parbaudes bus obligatas, Monday, 12 September 2011) In order to implement the requirements of the Directive regarding the introduction of regular inspections of equipment for the professional application of plant protection products, the Plant Protection Law provides a framework for the performance of such inspections: Inspection of equipment for the application of plant protection products shall take place according to the procedures prescribed in the legislation regarding equipment for the application of plant protection products; Inspection of equipment for the application of plant protection products shall be performed once every three years; The Service shall monitor the inspections and use of equipment for the application of plant protection products. The requirement stipulating that only tested equipment for the application of plant protection products in working order may be used will enter into force as of 26 November 2016. Cabinet Regulation No 491 of 10 July 2012 “Regulations Regarding Plant Protection Product Application Equipment” prescribes: the procedure by which inspections of plant protection product application equipment (hereinafter referred to as “equipment”) shall be performed, and the time periods for these inspections; the procedure by which a certificate shall be issued for the performers of the inspections of equipment; the requirements for the equipment; exceptions in respect of equipment inspections; the procedure for the recognition of certificates issued in another European Union Member State. Following a risk assessment for human health and the environment depending on the scale of the use of the equipment, Member States may: 1) apply different timetables and inspection intervals to pesticide application equipment not used for spraying pesticides, to handheld pesticide application equipment or backpack sprayers and to additional pesticide application equipment that represent a very low scale of use, which shall be listed in the National Action Plans provided for in Article 4 of the Directive; 2) exempt from inspection handheld pesticide application equipment or knapsack sprayers. The above rules allow for exceptions: inspections do not apply to handheld application equipment and backpack sprayers. This decision was adopted due to the fact that handheld equipment and backpack sprayers for the professional application of plant protection products are used little in the country. In order to introduce a system of inspections for equipment for the application of plant protection products, the plan is to commence with the inspection of the application equipment used most widely for the professional application of plant protection product in the country, as well as those for which inspection standards are in place: field sprayers and tree and brush sprayers. Item No Tasks to achieve the objective 3.11.1 Professional users of plant protection products use tested LATVIJAS VĒSTNESIS www.vestnesis.lv OP 2013/74.2 17 April 2013, No 74 (4880) 24 equipment for the application of plant protection products Item No Measures Implementation Date Responsible entity Outcomes 1. Developing a methodology for the inspection of equipment for the application of plant protection products 1 July 2013 SPPS Approved methodology 2. Certify the entities conducting inspections of equipment for the application of plant protection products 2013-2015 SPPS 3 inspecting entities certified 3. Monitor the entities conducting inspections of equipment for the application of plant protection products 2013-2015 SPPS 6 verifications per year 4. Survey the situation nationally as to the use of professional hand and back-pack spraying equipment By 2015 SPPS A decision adopted to amend the existing legislation with respect to exceptions to the inspections of plant protection product application equipment 5. Inspect equipment for the application of plant protection products 2013-2015 Inspecting entity 2 000 units each year 3.12 Area of action: Aerial application of plant protection products Current situation Member States must ensure that aerial spraying is prohibited. However, by way of derogation, aerial spraying may only be allowed in special cases provided that specific conditions are met. The Plant Protection Law prescribes that the aerial spraying of plant protection products is only permitted in the instances and in accordance with the procedures specified in the legislation governing the use of plant protection products. Cabinet Regulation No 950 of 13 December 2011 laying down rules on the use of plant protection products prescribes the procedure for the preparation of an assessment regarding the potential risks of aerial spraying of plant protection products, as well as the procedure for the issuance of a permit for the aerial spraying of a plant protection product. Aerial spraying of plant protection products shall be allowed if a permit of the Service for aerial spraying of plant protection products (hereinafter referred to as the “permit”) has been received. The Service shall decide to issue a permit in the following cases: there are no viable alternatives, or there are clear advantages for aerial spraying in terms of reduced impacts on human health and the environment compared with the land-based application of plant protection products; risk analysis has been performed and a confirmation has been obtained that the positive effect from such application of plant protection products will be greater than the potential risk to the environment and human and animal health; LATVIJAS VĒSTNESIS www.vestnesis.lv OP 2013/74.2 17 April 2013, No 74 (4880) 25 the operator carrying out the aerial spraying has been trained and has obtained a certificate on the right to use plant protection products; the application equipment has been inspected and conforms to the requirements specified in the legislation regarding plant protection product application equipment; the aircraft has been registered in accordance with the procedures specified in the legislation regarding aviation and has been equipped with accessories that constitute the best available technology to reduce spray draft; the area to be treated is not in close proximity to residential areas. Even before the Directive entered into force, conditions for the aerial application of plant protection products had been introduced in Latvia. The final permit for the aerial application of plant protection products was issued in 2005 to treat young pine stands against the European pine sawfly (Neodiprion sertifer) over 800 hectares. 3.13 Area of action: Safe handling of plant protection products Current situation The Plant Protection Law lays down that persons shall use plant protection products in accordance with the indications referred to on the labelling of such products, the good plant protection practice principles laid down by European and Mediterranean plant protection organisations (posted on the website of the State Plant Protection Service), and the principles and requirements of integrated pest management defined in the legislation governing the use of plant protection products in all the instances provided for therein. When a plant protection product is assessed, its potential effects on humans exposed to the product are also assessed. Therefore, the “Personnel Safety” section of the labelling of each plant protection product contains requirements for the protection of humans: they provide for the use of personal protective equipment when handling a specific plant protection product. Cabinet Regulation No 950 of 13 December 2011 laying down rules for the use of plant protection products lays down requirements that are to be met when using plant protection products. Furthermore, the new training programme for professional users of plant protection products stresses, more so than previously, the safety of operations, measures for environmental protection, including the need to comply with the requirements indicated on the labelling of plant protection products for the protection of users, operators and employees. This Regulation also establishes liability: every user of plant protection products and operator applying plant protection products is responsible for complying with requirements on the protection of human and animal health and the environment. In accordance with legislation on labour safety, the employer is required to ensure the safety and health of employees at work, including when employees handle plant protection products (in terms of adequate equipment, personal protective equipment, etc.). The employer must always brief the employees on the safe use of plant protection products. Before work commences, the employer has to obtain assurance that each employee has understood the instructions given. The employer must also comply with laws and regulations regarding labour safety and health protection; e.g., ensure that employees undergo mandatory health checks. The Service has set up a helpline that people can call with questions and report instances of possible infringements of the rules of use of plant protection products. LATVIJAS VĒSTNESIS www.vestnesis.lv OP 2013/74.2 17 April 2013, No 74 (4880) 26 In order to transpose the provisions of the Directive and for Member States to establish a system for gathering information on cases of acute poisoning and chronic poisoning caused by plant protection products in those population groups that are potentially subject to regular exposure to plant protection products, amendments were made on 27 December 2011 to Cabinet Regulation No 746 of 15 September 2008 “on procedures for the establishment, updating and maintenance of a register of patients suffering from certain illnesses”. Until the time that this Regulation took effect, there has been no official information in Latvia regarding any accidents involving plant protection products. Cabinet Regulation No 950 of 13 December 2011 laying down rules on the use of plant protection products also prescribes requirements for the storage of plant protection products on shelves or on pallets. It is prohibited to use fuel warehouses, residential or administrative premises, animal housings, structures that may be flooded and cellars, except cellars built above the ground, as sites for the storage of plant protection products. Plant protection products registered as class 1 shall be stored in a locked, ventilated room separately from other plant protection products, and further conditions have been prescribed. According to the Plant Protection Law, the distributors of plant protection products – economic operators that have received a special permit (licence) issued by the Service – must store plant protection products in the original packaging and in the conditions indicated on their labelling; furthermore, they have to be stored separately from other products and substances that can affect the properties of the plant protection product in question. Used plant protection product packaging is to be kept with the plant protection products until burial, and it is buried in accordance with the procedures prescribed in the legislation regarding waste management. This requirement may be disregarded if the packaging of the plant protection product consumed is no longer deemed hazardous waste in accordance with the legislation regarding the classification of waste and properties that render waste hazardous. If the empty packaging of a consumed plant protection product is rinsed three times with clean water during the preparation of the working liquid, and if the rinse water is filled into the working liquid tank, then the used plant protection product packaging is no longer to be considered hazardous waste. Cabinet Regulation No 509 of 24 July 2012 “Regulations Regarding the Placing on the Market of Plant Protection Products According to Regulation No 1107/2009” specifies the criteria according to which some plant protection products are approved for use by non-professional users. A plant protection product is approved for non-professional use if it is placed in the packaging with the contents of which no more than 5 000 square metres of space can be treated using the minimum registered dosage of the plant protection product, and in accordance with the legislation regarding the procedures for the classification, labelling and packaging of chemical products it is not classified as toxic or very toxic, a category one, two or three carcinogen, a category one, two or three mutagen, toxic for the reproductive system in category one, two or three, etc. It is important to raise public awareness of the safe use of plant protection products, both with respect to professional users of plant protection products and users of class 3 plant protection products, mostly in small allotments. Item No Tasks to achieve the objective 3.13.1 Improve the knowledge of professional and non professional users of plant protection products about the safe use of plant protection products 1. Measures Implementation Date Responsible entity Outcomes 1.1 Inform the general public on the use of plant protection products (principles of best practices of plant protection included) 2013 SPPS/LAMVPPP A plant protection products User’s Manual issued 1.3 Inform the general public on the 2013 SPPS/LAMVPPP A poster listing the 12 LATVIJAS VĒSTNESIS www.vestnesis.lv OP 2013/74.2 17 April 2013, No 74 (4880) 27 use of plant protection products that is safe for humans and the environment key principles of the use of plant protection products that is safe for humans and the environment 2. Upon request, the National Health Service provides statistics on the cases of pesticide (plant protection product) poisoning, and the Service posts the data on its website 2013-2015 SPPS/National Health Service Information published yearly on cases of pesticide (plant protection product) poisoning 3.14 Area of action: Controls of the use of plant protection products in place In accordance with the Plant Protection Law, the Service performs the monitoring and control of the use of plant protection products. According to the data of the Rural Support Service for 2012, there are a total of 62 932 potential users of plant protection products; however, given the size of the area that can be treated, approximately 13 000 of those could be professional plant protection product users. In 2011, the Service carried out 861 inspections regarding compliance with the requirements of the legislation for the use of plant protection products. After the inspection, 19 administrative violation matters were initiated, and two negligible and four material violations were identified during checks of mutual compliance management requirements. In 2011, the most frequent violations detected involved the use of plant protection products that contained glyphosates in areas with weeds in flowers; the use of plant protection products on crops for which they were not registered; the use of plant protection products during high bee activity without complying with the requirement on the label prescribing that the plant protection product may only be used between the hours of 22:00 and 5:00 if there are crops in flowers or weeds in flowers present in the area subject to treatment; allowing the plant protection product to land on plants outside the area to be treated when applied by spraying; the use of plant protection products that are harmful to bees without warning the owners of bee colonies; and the use of a plant protection product not registered in Latvia. In order to verify that the requirements regarding the use of plant protection products are complied with, the Service took a total of 50 plant and plant product samples in 2011. In 11 instances, the samples were taken from cereals and rape, in order to check whether the prescribed period of application before harvest is being observed. No violations were detected. Given the increased risk related to the import and distribution of illegal plant protection products (section 3.16 of the Plan), the number of inspections needs to be increased. Item No Tasks to achieve the objective 3.14.1 Ensure that the requirements for the use of plant protection products are complied with Measures Implementation Date Responsible entity Outcomes 1. Organise information campaigns to inform professional users of plant protection products regarding the provisions of legislation. 2013-2015 SPPS Leaflets, seminars, participation in public events 2. Control the use of plant protection products (including in specially protected natural areas) 2013-2015 SPPS In 2013: 1 000 inspections In 2014-2015: 1 250 inspections per year 3. Take samples of plants and plant products 2013-2015 SPPS In 2013: 50 samples In 2014-2015: 100 samples LATVIJAS VĒSTNESIS www.vestnesis.lv OP 2013/74.2 17 April 2013, No 74 (4880) 28 3.15 Area of action: Measures towards the implementation of the general principles of integrated pest management Even before the Directive was implemented, the Plant Protection Law prescribed that plant protection products shall be used in accordance with the principles of good plant protection practices, which means the safe use of a plant protection product recommended, permitted or registered in the country in accordance with the factual conditions at any stage of production, storage, transportation, distribution and food or feed processing in order to safely and effectively control harmful organisms. This includes several levels of use of plant protection product, up to the upper level of recommended, permitted or registered use in the country. In this respect, public health, occupational health and ecological considerations are taken into account for the purposes of the safe use of plant protection products, as well as the smallest quantity of the plant protection product that is used for the purposes of the effective control of harmful organisms in a way that leaves as little residue as possible. This principle is observed in Latvia upon the registration of plant protection products. In accordance with Article 14 of the Directive, by 1 January 2014, Member States must ensure that all professional users of plant protection products implement the general principles of integrated pest management. In order to accomplish this, the policy planning document Guidelines for the Development of Integrated Plant Protection Policy 2009-2015 was already approved by Cabinet Order No 558 of 12 August 2009, the purpose of which is to create preconditions for the implementation of an integrated pest management system (hereinafter referred to as the “Guidelines”). The key elements of integrated pest management are as follows: 1) Preventive measures: all measures that ensure the normal growth and development of plants. The implementation of such measures reduces or prevents the emergence of harmful organisms and the likelihood of infection; 2) Observation: monitoring of crops to observe the appearance of the harmful organism, the dynamics of its spreading, also taking into consideration the spreading of its natural enemies, and to take a correct decision regarding the necessary pest control measures; 3) Direct plant protection measures: action, intervention where the control of harmful organisms is necessary, justified by the potential multiplication of a harmful organism to a destructive extent. In order to achieve this, the Guidelines prescribe the following areas of action: 1) Availability of the necessary statistics in Latvia regarding the field of circulation of plant protection products; 2) Providing the stakeholders with recommendations regarding the necessary measures to prevent resistance; 3) Providing the stakeholders with information on harmful organisms, their critical thresholds, plant protection products and plant protection methods; 4) Warning agricultural operators about the appearance of the most destructive harmful organisms; 5) Improved training and advisory system in the field of plant protection; 6) Promotion of plant protection as a scientific discipline by involving Latvian scientific institutions specialising in crop production, in order to conduct research in accordance with their area of activity; 7) Drafting of legislation governing integrated pest management. LATVIJAS VĒSTNESIS www.vestnesis.lv OP 2013/74.2 17 April 2013, No 74 (4880) 29 Measures in connection with integrated pest management were already initiated in Latvia in 2006. In order to promote the introduction of environmentally friendly intensive growth technologies and ensure high quality fruit and horticultural production in Latvia, in 2006 the Commission approved programmes for the implementation of an integrated fruit and vegetable production system. The table below provides a clear depiction of the land area and amount of State assistance associated with integrated fruit and vegetable production between 2005 and 2009. Support 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 ha LVL ha LVL ha LVL ha LVL Support for integrated growth 106 263 729 2 907 440 863 2 806 435 778 2 803 434 371 In turn, in the implementation of sub-measure “Introducing and Promoting Integrated Horticulture” (IPIH) of the measure “Agri-Environment Payments” of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013, an objective was defined to reduce the use of plant protection products and fertiliser and to promote the preservation of biodiversity by encouraging the use of integrated growth methods in horticulture. At present, agricultural operators can receive IPIH assistance for agricultural land on which all the conditions for receiving such assistance are complied with and on which crops that are eligible for assistance are grown. In order for all fruit and vegetable producers wishing to receive assistance for integrated growth to be able to receive it, Cabinet Regulation No 1056 of 15 September 2009 “Requirements for the Integrated Growth, Storage and Labelling of Agricultural Products and Control Procedures” was adopted. The Regulation contains the key general principles of integrated pest management as prescribed in Annex III to the Directive. The Regulation provides that all those who wish to produce crops using integrated pest management methods shall be included in the Register for the Integrated Growth of Agricultural Products. Every year, the Service controls the growers included in the Register in order to verify integrated growth and its compliance with the provisions of the Regulation. At this time, 336 producers are in the Register for the Integrated Growth of Agricultural Products. Cabinet Regulation No 663 of 18 August 2008 “Requirements for Food Quality Schemes and Procedures for the Implementation, Operation, Monitoring and Control thereof” also provides for requirements for the growth of cereals and oil plants and the key requirements of integrated growth: crop rotation, implementation of the necessary cultivation measures, preparation of a fertilisation plan, maintenance of a field survey log and other measures. By April 2012, 104 producers of cereals and oil plants participated in these measures. Item No Tasks to achieve the objective 3.15.1 Implement the general principles of integrated pest management Measures Implementation Date Responsible entity Outcomes 1. Enable professional users to learn about the practical implementation of integrated pest management principles 2013-2015 MoA/LRATC/SPPS Model farms to demonstrate integrated pest management created 2. Produce draft Cabinet Regulation “Amendments to Cabinet Regulation No 950 of 13 December 2011 laying down rules on the use of plant protection products” to introduce provisions for integrated pest management 1 January 2014 MoA/SPPS Submit a draft Cabinet Regulation to the State Chancellery 3.16 Area of action: Reduction of the spreading of illegal and counterfeit plant protection products LATVIJAS VĒSTNESIS www.vestnesis.lv OP 2013/74.2 17 April 2013, No 74 (4880) 30 Current situation Data by the EU law enforcement agency Europol shows that there are countries where more than a quarter of the supplied plant protection products are counterfeit, which endangers both farmers and agricultural land and products. Sales of counterfeit plant protection products amount to several billion euro annually, and they are on the rise across the world. In order to inform State institutions about counterfeit plant protection products and the related risks and to improve cooperation among public authorities involved in the control of the circulation of plant protection products, LAMVPPP organised a conference, Import, control and identification of counterfeit and illegal plant protection products: are we prepared to stop counterfeit and illegal plant protection products? During the conference, it was revealed that the global market for illegal plant protection products in 2007 was estimated to account for 7% of the total pesticide market, whereas in 2010 the volume exceeded the 10% mark and was worth approximately four billion euro. Illegal plant protection products can contain chemical substances that are not permitted in the European Union and are only used in third countries. They can contain substances that are past their sell-by date, whose storage conditions are not known, whose effectiveness is highly questionable, and whose impact on the environment is unknown. The reasons why many substances are not approved in the European Union can vary: it is mainly due to excessive persistence and accumulation in the soil with subsequent uptake in the succeeding crops, permeation into groundwater, accumulation in living organisms, toxic effects on the reproductive and nervous systems. There are substances whose degradation products in the soil, water and plants have not been studied completely and that contain impurities whose effects are not known. If a substance is approved for use in the European Union, all Member States and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) have participated in the evaluation of its documentation. Manufacturers of plant protection products who wish to legally sell plant protection products in the European Union that contain a particular substance have to meet many rigorous criteria and conduct the studies prescribed in regulations in order to prove to the Commission, the Member States and EFSA that the substance in question is safe to use. It is often the case that, even if the use of a substance within the European Union is approved, it is subject to strict additional conditions, which may even include restrictions on dosage per hectare in one field within one season. Often the same dosage is no longer safe for another crop as, for instance, the soil cover of another crop during treatment is not as extensive, and more of the substance can penetrate through soil to the groundwater; or, alternatively, another crop may be grown in sandier soils, which are more permeable. Therefore, deviation from the permitted maximum dosages per hectare and failure to comply with labelling is strictly forbidden, as is the use of illegal products, whose effects have not been assessed and are not known. It is important to remember that, after they have been applied, plant protection products enter the environment and the food chain, which obviously includes consumers, which is why any use of plant protection products must be carefully weighed. This also applies to owners of garden allotments – users of class three plant protection products – who do not require a certification of minimum knowledge regarding plant protection and who are prone to making errors more easily due to ignorance. According to LAMVPPP estimates, the market for illegal plant protection products in Latvia may constitute up to 10% of the total market. Every year, the Service initiates administrative violation matters regarding illegal sales of plant protection products. In 2011, one instance of counterfeit plant protection products was solved and proved. In cooperation with the Economic Police Department and agricultural operators, three administrative violation matters were initiated in the first six months of 2012, with plant protection products worth LVL 450 retained and seized. A fine of LVL 250 was imposed for the violation and the plant protection products were confiscated. LATVIJAS VĒSTNESIS www.vestnesis.lv OP 2013/74.2 17 April 2013, No 74 (4880) 31 Tasks to achieve the objective 3.16.1 Prevent the distribution and use of illegal plant protection products in Latvia Item No Measures Implementation Date Responsible entity Outcomes 1. Identify the potential extent of the illegal distribution and use of plant protection products in Latvia 2014 MoA/SPPS/LAMVPPP A survey of the use of illegal and counterfeit plant protection products in Latvia 2. Improvement of the inspection system at cargo customs clearance points; inclusion of plant protection products in the customs risk assessment systems By 31 December 2013 SRS/Food and Veterinary Service/SPPS A cooperation agreement entered into between SRS, the Food and Veterinary Service and SPPS 3.17 Area of action: Indicators for assessing the impact of the use of plant protection products Current situation The achievement of the objectives defined by the Directive are expected to be assessed by applying risk indicators that are still being developed in the European Union and that are expected to be included in Annex IV to the Directive. However, while no EU-wide risk indicators are in place, Member States may continue to use existing national indicators or adopt other appropriate indicators in addition to the harmonised ones. To date, Latvia has had no national indicators for assessing the direct impact of the use of plant protection products. However, Cabinet Regulation No 175 of 24 February 2009 “Regulations Regarding National Environmental Indicators” prescribes environmental indicators that indirectly describe the general state of the environment in the country, including the situation relating to the use of plant protection products. This Regulation prescribes: 1) A biodiversity indicator that includes the rural bird index, the amphibian species index and the small mammal species index; 2) An environmental indicator relating to water quality: proportion of underground drinking water bodies that provide water supply in line with quality and harmlessness requirements (per cent) and the proportion of bodies of good and high-quality water (in per cent of the total). In order to assess the usefulness of the application of the national risk indicators, it is important to have access to multiannual monitoring data on the quality of soil, groundwater and surface water. Monitoring data is needed to enable a comparison between a situation that will emerge after the use of plant protection products is reduced after the application of indicator data with the situation previously and to establish whether an improvement has been achieved. There are no such data in Latvia. Therefore, until the EU indicators are developed, it is impossible to introduce indicators that describe, in particular, the use of plant protection products. With respect to plant protection products in Latvia in particular, in accordance with the Plant Protection Law, the Service gathers information on the quantity of plant protection products distributed. There are no statistics on the quantity of plant protection products consumed in Latvia over a longer term. LATVIJAS VĒSTNESIS www.vestnesis.lv OP 2013/74.2 17 April 2013, No 74 (4880) 32 A model for defining and calculating risk indicators, HAIR2010 (hereinafter referred to as “HAIR”) is in place in the European Union. This software has been developed to enable the calculation of risk indicators of plant protection product use in relation to aquatic organisms, animals, concentration of chemical substances in the soil, the operator, effects on humans, and others among 29 risk indicators. For Latvia to be able to use HAIR, it needs to possess data on the use of plant protection products (dosages, frequency, stage of crop development) and crop production (areas occupied by particular crops and location thereof, depending on whether output data are necessary at the regional or the national scale). As such data accumulates for multiple years, it will be possible to use them in order to determine, with the HAIR software, the load that certain plant protection products exert on specific crops. Item No Tasks to achieve the objective 3.17.1 Establish a system for the calculation of indicators for assessing the impact of the use of plant protection products Measures Implementation Date Responsible entity Outcomes 1. Ensure the collection of statistical data on the plant protection products consumed and distributed 2013-2015 Central Statistical Bureau/SPPS Information obtained on the plant protection products used and distributed in the country 2. Analyse statistics 2013-2015 SPPS A report on the quantity of plant protection products distributed and used 3. In conducting monitoring measures, gather the necessary data for the calculation of indicators 2013-2015 SPPS Information available in the country on the use of plant protection products 4. Financing required for the implementation of the Plan Objective defined in the Plan Objective of the Plan: to achieve the sustainable use of plant protection products by reducing the risks and impact caused by the use of plant protection products on human health and the environment Area of action for the achievement of the objective: 3.1 Granting of approvals for the placement of plant protection products on the market and their use in Latvia Task to achieve the objective 3.1.1 Ensure compliance with the requirements of Regulation 1107/2009/EC Measures to achieve the task defined Implementatio n Date Responsible entity Involved institutions Direct operational targets Expected financing and sources thereof Ensure the preparation of assessments for the inclusion of active substances in the European list of approved active substances and the approval of plant protection products 2013-2015 SPPS In 2013: Assessments regarding 25 plant protection products (including as the rapporteur Member State for five plant protection products) and two active substances (picolinafen and pyridate) for reinclusion in the European list of approved active substances, as a co rapporteur Member State; In 2014: Assessments regarding 26 plant In 2013, the assessments are performed with funding from the resources allocated in the Law on the State budget for the current year. The necessary supplemental financing has been included in SPPS’s request for new policy initiatives for 2014-2016 in budget programme 27.00.00 “Plant health and monitoring of plant circulation”. In 2014: LVL 11 913. In 2015: 23 826. LATVIJAS VĒSTNESIS www.vestnesis.lv OP 2013/74.2 17 April 2013, No 74 (4880) 33 protection products (including as the rapporteur Member State for five plant protection products); as the rapporteur Member State, to commence the assessment of one active substance (zoxamide) and, as a co-rapporteur Member State, commence the preparation of the assessment of the active substance cyazofamid for reinclusion in the European list of approved active substances. In 2015: Assessments regarding 27 plant protection products (including as the rapporteur Member State for six plant protection products); as a co rapporteur Member State, commence the preparation of the assessment of the active substances trinexapac and tribenuron for reinclusion in the European list of approved active substances. 3.1.2 Facilitate the availability of approved plant protection products for minor use 1. In cooperation with the producers, survey and compile information in the combination “crop and harmful organism” in order to identify the problems: missing plant protection products for controlling a specific harmful organism for a specific crop. By 31 December 2013 SPPS NGOs Summary on the problem of minor uses in Latvia prepared Funding from the resources allocated in the Law on the State budget for the current year. 2. Based on the summary on minor uses, review the Register of Plant Protection Products with a view to expanding the use of an approved plant protection product 2013-2015 SPPS At least three extensions of approvals for plant protection products for minor uses (based on manufacturers’ applications where studies are available; preparation of the assessment is funded by the applicant). In 2014 In 2013, the measure is performed with funding from the resources allocated in the Law on the State budget for the current year. The necessary financing for the supplemental assessments of plant protection products and purchases of research results in 2014 and 2015 has been included LATVIJAS VĒSTNESIS www.vestnesis.lv OP 2013/74.2 17 April 2013, No 74 (4880) 34 and 2015, at least one approval if manufacturers do not submit applications and Latvia (SPPS) purchases research results from the producers’ association of another Member State that owns such research. in SPPS’s request for new policy initiatives for 2014-2016 in budget programme 27.00.00 “Plant health and monitoring of plant circulation”. In 2014: LVL 23 000. In 2015: LVL 23 000. 3. Based on the summary on minor uses, review the registers of plant protection products of the northern and central zones in cooperation with manufacturers in order to determine the possibility of applying mutual recognition procedures 2013-2015 SPPS At least three approvals of plant protection products for minor uses each year. By applying mutual recognition procedures, the cost of the assessment for an approval to be issued to be covered by the applicant (manufacturer). In 2014 and 2015, at least one approval if manufacturers do not submit applications and Latvia (SPPS) purchases research results from the producers’ association of another Member State that owns such research. In 2013, the measure is performed with funding from the resources allocated in the Law on the State budget for the current year. The necessary supplemental financing for supplemental assessments of plant protection products in 2014 and 2015 and the purchasing of research has been included in SPPS’s request for new policy initiatives for 2014-2016 in budget programme 27.00.00 “Plant health and monitoring of plant circulation”. In 2014: LVL 23 000. In 2015: LVL 23 000. 3.2 Monitoring in place for the placement of plant protection products on the market 3.2.1 Compliance with the requirements for the distribution of plant protection products ensured 1. Control the distribution of plant protection products 2013-2015 SPPS In 2013: 226 inspections In 2014: 250 inspections In 2015: 250 inspections In 2013, the inspections are carried out with funding from the resources allocated in the Law on the State budget for the current year. The necessary supplemental financing for 2014 and 2015 has been included in SPPS’s request for new policy initiatives for 2014 2016 in budget programme 27.00.00 “Plant health and monitoring of plant circulation”. In 2014: LVL 528. In 2015: LVL 528. 2. Take samples to test the quality of plant protection products. Take samples of products of unknown origin. 2013-2015 SPPS In 2013: 13 samples In 2014: 40 samples In 2015: 40 samples In 2013, the testing of control samples of plant protection products are carried out with funding from the resources allocated LATVIJAS VĒSTNESIS www.vestnesis.lv OP 2013/74.2 17 April 2013, No 74 (4880) 35 in the Law on the State budget for the current year. The necessary supplemental financing for 2014 and 2015 has been included in SPPS’s request for new policy initiatives for 2014 2016 in budget programme 27.00.00 “Plant health and monitoring of plant circulation”. In 2014: LVL 27 000. In 2015: LVL 27 000. 3.3 Training of the professional users, operators, vendors and advisors of plant protection products 3.3.1 Users, operators and vendors of plant protection products are trained in Latvia 1. In the transition period to the new training system, ensure the training of the users of plant protection products in accordance with the procedures in effect 1 June 2013 SPPS 750 certificates issued for the acquisition of the minimum knowledge regarding plant protection Funding from the resources allocated in the Law on the State budget for the current year. 2. Include plant protection-related topics in the curricula of vocational schools By 2015 MoES MoA/SPPS 10 curricula supplemented Funding from the resources allocated in the Law on the State budget for the current year. 3. Establish a register of trained professional users, operators, vendors and advisors of plant protection products By 26 November 2013 SPPS A register of trained professional users, operators, vendors and advisors of plant protection products in place Funding from the resources allocated in the Law on the State budget for the current year. 3.4 Improvement of the advisory system in the field of plant protection 3.4.1 Trained advisors are available in Latvia 1. In the transition period to the new training system, ensure the training of plant protection product advisors in accordance with the procedures in effect By 1 June 2013 SPPS/LRATC/IAS 10 advisor certificates issued Funding from the resources allocated in the Law on the State budget for the current year. 3.5 Consumer protection 3.5.1 Safe crops ensured for consumers 1. Inform the public on the results of the monitoring of plant protection product residue, specifying instances where the maximum permissible level of plant protection product residue has been exceeded in the plants and plant products of local origin, EU origin or those imported from third countries 2013-2015 FVS, MoA A report on the results of the monitoring of plant protection product residue drawn up Funding from the resources allocated in the Law on the State budget for the current year. 3.6 Measures towards the protection of the aquatic environment and drinking water 3.6.1 Ensure the protection of the aquatic environment and drinking water LATVIJAS VĒSTNESIS www.vestnesis.lv OP 2013/74.2 17 April 2013, No 74 (4880) 36 1. Inform the public on the results of the monitoring of surface and groundwater and that of drinking water. 2014-2015 State Limited Liability Company [VSIA] Latvijas Vides, ģeoloģijas un meteoroloģijas centrs [Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre] (Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development) and the Health Inspectorate (Ministry of Health) Annual report on the state of Latvian waters, which includes information on the results of the monitoring in accordance with the legislation on the quality of surface and groundwater. Funding from the resources allocated in the Law on the State budget for the current year. LATVIJAS VĒSTNESIS www.vestnesis.lv OP 2013/74.2 17 April 2013, No 74 (4880) 37 3.8 Comparative assessment of plant protection products in place 3.8.1 Ensure the possibility of the use of plant protection products that are less dangerous for the environment 1. Conduct a comparative assessment of plant protection products 2014-2015 SPPS 20 products assessed each year Funding from the resources allocated in the Law on the State budget for the current year. 3.9 Use of non-chemical plant protection products 3.9.1 The possibility of the use of non-chemical plant protection products has been ensured 1. Identify the microbiological plant protection products and plant protection products containing live organisms approved in the Member States of the northern and central zone By 1 July 2013 SPPS Information compiled Funding from the resources allocated in the Law on the State budget for the current year. 2. Contact the owners of the registration of microbiological plant protection products regarding the prospect of applying mutual recognition procedures of plant protection products By 31 December 2014 SPPS By applying the registration recognition procedure of plant protection products of another country, five approvals issued for the placement on the market and use of five plant protection products containing microorganisms The necessary financing for supplemental assessments of plant protection products and the obtaining of additional information in 2014 has been included in SPPS’s request for new policy initiatives for 2014 2016 in budget programme 27.00.00 “Plant health and monitoring of plant circulation”. In 2014: LVL 5 000. 3.10 Measures towards informing the public and awareness-raising regarding the use of plant protection products 3.10.1 The general public is informed about the use of plant protection products 1. Develop a programme for informing the general public, with the involvement of NGOs 31 December 2013 SPPS An approved programme for informing the general public Funding from the resources allocated in the Law on the State budget for the current year. 2. Inform the general public on the use of plant protection products and the control of harmful organisms 2013-2015 LAMVPPP/SPPS/ LRATC Participation in public events and informing of the general public on the use of plant protection products. Release of information leaflets on the use of plant protection products Funding from the resources allocated in the Law on the State budget for the current year. 3. Monitoring, identification of shortcomings (failure to use personal protective equipment when handling plant protection products, in storage areas, etc.) 2013-2015 SPPS/LAMVPPP Resurveying of agricultural operators regarding the use of personal protective equipment in the handling of plant protection products after acquainting themselves with the Funding from the resources allocated in the Law on the State budget for the current year. LATVIJAS VĒSTNESIS www.vestnesis.lv OP 2013/74.2 17 April 2013, No 74 (4880) 38 safe handling of plant protection products 4. Organise an information campaign for agricultural operators on the dangers of illegal and counterfeit plant protection products 2013-2015 SPPS/LAMVPPP Preparation of the information; informing and training agricultural operators and the participating organisations and entities on counterfeit and illegal plant protection products Participation in public events Funding from the resources allocated in the Law on the State budget for the current year. 3.11 System of inspection of equipment for the application of plant protection products in place 3.11.1 Professional users of plant protection products use tested equipment for the application of plant protection products 1. Developing a methodology for the inspection of equipment for the application of plant protection products 1 July 2013 SPPS Approved methodology Funding from the resources allocated in the Law on the State budget for the current year. 2. Certify the entities conducting inspections of equipment for the application of plant protection products 2013-2015 SPPS 3 inspecting entities certified Funding from the resources allocated in the Law on the State budget for the current year. 3. Monitor the entities conducting inspections of equipment for the application of plant protection products 2013-2015 SPPS 6 verifications per year Funding from the resources allocated in the Law on the State budget for the current year. 4. Survey the situation nationally as to the use of professional hand and back-pack spraying equipment By 31 December 2015 SPPS A decision adopted to amend the existing legislation with respect to exceptions to the inspections of plant protection product application equipment Funding from the resources allocated in the Law on the State budget for the current year. 5. Inspect equipment for the application of plant protection products 2013-2015 Inspecting entity In 2014: 2 000 units. In 2015: 2 000 units. Funding from the resources allocated in the Law on the State budget for the current year. 3.13 Safe handling of plant protection products 3.13.1 Improve the knowledge of the professional and non-professional users of plant protection products about the safe use of plant protection products 1. Inform the general public on the use of plant protection products (principles of best practices of plant protection included) 2013 SPPS/LAMVPPP A plant protection products User’s Manual issued Funding from the resources allocated in the Law on the State budget for the current year. In 2013, under the SUI (Safe Use Initiative) project, layout design and printing of fliers and LATVIJAS VĒSTNESIS www.vestnesis.lv OP 2013/74.2 17 April 2013, No 74 (4880) 39 the design, layout, printing ant translation of a poster and a manual took place, the services of a photographer were commissioned and gloves purchased: LVL 4 880 2. Inform the general public on the use of plant protection products that is safe for humans and the environment 2013 SPPS/LAMVPPP A poster listing the 12 key principles of the use of plant protection products that is safe for humans and the environment Funding from the resources allocated in the Law on the State budget for the current year. A poster was issued in 2013 under the SUI (Safe Use Initiative) project 3. Upon request, the National Health Service provides statistics on the cases of pesticide (plant protection product) poisoning, and the Service posts the data on its website 2013-2015 SPPS/NHS Information published yearly on cases of pesticide (plant protection product) poisoning Funding from the resources allocated in the Law on the State budget for the current year. 3.14 Controls of the use of plant protection products in place 3.14.1 Ensure that the requirements for the use of plant protection products are complied with 1. Organise information campaigns to inform the professional users of plant protection products regarding the provisions of legislation. 2013-2015 SPPS Leaflets, seminars, participation in public events In 2013, the activities are carried out with funding from the resources allocated in the Law on the State budget for the current year. The necessary supplemental financing for 2014 and 2015 has been included in SPPS’s request for new policy initiatives for 2014 2016 in budget programme 27.00.00 “Plant health and monitoring of plant circulation”. In 2014: LVL 5 000. In 2015: LVL 5 000. 2. Control the use of plant protection products (including in specially protected natural areas) 2013-2015 SPPS In 2013: 1 000 inspections In 2014: 1 250 inspections In 2015: 1 250 inspections In 2013, the inspections are carried out with funding from the resources allocated in the Law on the State budget for the current year. The necessary supplemental financing has been included in SPPS’s request for new policy initiatives for 2014-2016 in budget programme 27.00.00 “Plant health and LATVIJAS VĒSTNESIS www.vestnesis.lv OP 2013/74.2 17 April 2013, No 74 (4880) 40 monitoring of plant circulation”. In 2014: LVL 5 500. In 2015: LVL 5 500. 3. Take samples of plants and plant products 2013-2015 SPPS In 2013: 50 samples In 2014: 100 samples In 2015: 100 samples In 2013, the testing of control samples of plant products are carried out with funding from the resources allocated in the Law on the State budget for the current year. The necessary supplemental financing for 2014 and 2015 has been included in SPPS’s request for new policy initiatives for 2014 2016 in budget programme 27.00.00 “Plant health and monitoring of plant circulation”. In 2014: LVL 12 500. In 2015: LVL 12 500. 3.15 Measures towards the implementation of the general principles of integrated pest management 3.15.1 Implement the general principles of integrated pest management 1. Enable professional users to learn about the practical implementation of integrated pest management principles 2013-2015 MoA/LRATC/SP PS Model farms to demonstrate integrated pest management created EU financing 2. Produce draft Cabinet Regulation “Amendments to Cabinet Regulation No 950 of 13 December 2011 laying down rules on the use of plant protection products” to introduce provisions for integrated pest management 1 January 2014 SPPS/MoA A draft Cabinet Regulation submitted to the State Chancellery Funding from the resources allocated in the Law on the State budget for the current year. 3.16 Reduction of the spreading of illegal and counterfeit plant protection products 3.16.1 Prevent the distribution and use of illegal plant protection products in Latvia 1. Identify the potential extent of the illegal distribution and use of plant protection products in Latvia 2014 MoA/SPPS/LAM VPPP A survey of the use of illegal and counterfeit plant protection products in Latvia The necessary supplemental financing for 2014 has been included in SPPS’s request for new policy initiatives for 2014 2016 in budget programme 27.00.00 “Plant health and monitoring of plant LATVIJAS VĒSTNESIS www.vestnesis.lv OP 2013/74.2 17 April 2013, No 74 (4880) 41 circulation”. In 2014: LVL 9 990. 2. Improvement of the inspection system at cargo customs clearance pints; inclusion of plant protection products in the customs risk assessment systems By 31 December 2013 SRS, FVS, SPPS A cooperation agreement entered into between SRS, FVS and SPPS Funding from the resources allocated in the Law on the State budget for the current year. 3.17 Indicators for assessing the impact of the use of plant protection products 3.17.1 Establish a system for the calculation of indicators for assessing the impact of the use of plant protection products 1. Ensure the collection of statistical data on the plant protection products consumed and distributed 2013-2015 SPPS/Central Statistical Bureau Information obtained on the plant protection products used and distributed in the country The collection of statistical data on the distributed plant protection products in 2013, 2014 and 2015 will be ensured with funding from the resources allocated in the Law on the State budget for the current year. The collection of statistical data on the consumed plant protection products in accordance with the provisions of Regulation (EC) No 1185/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 November 2009 for 2013-2015 will take place in 2014. Financing to ensure the collection of statistical data regarding the consumed plant protection products in 2014 is planned within the budget of the Central Statistical Bureau and is reallocated to SPPS in the form of a transfer payment in accordance with the volume of work (planned financing in 2014: LVL 23 000) 2. Analysis of statistics 2013-2015 SPPS A report on the quantity of plant protection products distributed and consumed Funding from the resources allocated in the Law on the State budget for the current year. 3. In conducting monitoring measures, gather the necessary data for the calculation of indicators 2013-2015 SPPS Information available in the country on the use of plant protection products In 2013: funding from the resources allocated in the Law on the State budget for the current year. The necessary supplemental financing for 2014 and 2015 has been included in SPPS’s request for new policy initiatives for 2014 LATVIJAS VĒSTNESIS www.vestnesis.lv OP 2013/74.2 17 April 2013, No 74 (4880) 42 2016 in budget programme 27.00.00 “Plant health and monitoring of plant circulation”. In 2014: LVL 4 961. In 2015: LVL 4 961. Additional financing required for 2014 and 2015: a detailed calculation thereof, source of financing Additional financing for 2014 and 2015 required by SPPS: a detailed calculation thereof, source of financing Item No Tasks to achieve the objective 2014, LVL 2015, LVL Calculation, source of funding 3.1.1 1. Ensure the preparation of assessments for the inclusion of active substances in the European list of approved active substances and the approval of plant protection products 11 913 11 913 In order to ensure the performance of the task, one additional staff position is needed in 2014 (efficiency expert; family of positions and level: 10 III), remuneration: LVL 800 x 12 months + 24.09 = LVL 11 913 11 913 In 2015: one new staff position (toxicology expert; family of positions and level: 10 III), remuneration: LVL 800 x 12 months + 24.09 = LVL 11 913 3.1.2.2 Based on the summary on minor uses, review the Register of Plant Protection Products with a view to expanding the use of an approved plant protection product 23 000 23 000 The possibility of purchasing the results of the studies performed by the producers’ associations of other Member States from the owner of the research: identified price of research results for one plant protection product: an average of LVL 23 000 3.1.2.3 Based on the summary on minor uses, review the registers of plant protection products of the northern and central zones in cooperation with manufacturers in order to determine the possibility of applying mutual recognition procedures 23 000 23 000 The possibility of purchasing the results of the studies performed by the producers’ associations of other Member States from the owner of the research: identified price of research results for one plant protection product: an average of LVL 23 000 3.2.1.1 Control the distribution of plant protection products 528 528 Average cost of one inspection: LVL 22. Hourly remuneration of a senior inspector (family of positions and level: 26.3.III): LVL 5.21 (LVL 698/166.25 + 24.09% = LVL 5.21). One inspection requires an average of 3.5 hours (LVL 5.21 x 3.5 h = LVL 18.24). Average distance to the inspection site: 25 km. Amount of fuel required for a return journey (50 km): 4.25 litres. Assuming that fuel costs LVL 1.00 per litre, the cost of fuel required per inspection is LVL 4.25. Total per inspection: LVL 18.24 + LVL 4.25 = LVL 22. Compared with 2013, 24 additional inspections have been planned in 2014 and 2015. (24 inspections x LVL 22 = LVL 528). 3.2.1.2 Take samples to test the quality of plant protection products. Take samples of products of unknown origin. 27 000 27 000 Average cost of analysing one control sample of a plant protection product: LVL 1 000. Compared with 2013, 27 additional tests of control samples of plant protection products are planned in 2014 and 2015 (27 samples x LVL 1 000 = LVL 27 000). Based on the procurement of analyses of control samples of plant protection products by an accredited laboratory using accredited methods in 2011 and 2012, for which service contracts were concluded, the average cost of analysing one sample is LVL 1 000 (depending on the active substances that the product contains). 3.9.1.2 Contact the owners of the registration of microbiological plant protection products regarding the prospect of applying mutual recognition procedures of plant protection 5 000 One assessment with the application of mutual recognition procedures, per plant protection product: an average of LVL 1 000. Hourly remuneration of a senior desk officer (family of positions and level: 10 III): LVL 5.21 (LVL 698/166.25 + +24.09% = LVL 5.21). The preparation of one assessment LATVIJAS VĒSTNESIS www.vestnesis.lv OP 2013/74.2 17 April 2013, No 74 (4880) 43 products requires four different experts working at the same time for six working days (6 days x 4 staff x 8 hours = 192 hours). 192 h x LVL 5.21 = LVL 1 000. Assessments of five plant protection products are planned for 2014 using mutual recognition procedures. 3.14.1.1 Organise information campaigns to inform professional users of plant protection products regarding the provisions of legislation. 5 000 5 000 Leaflets (LVL 0.10 x 10 000 copies = LVL 1 000). Seminars (space rental, equipment hire: avg. of LVL 100; five seminars planned in five regions: LVL 100 x 5 x 5 = LVL 2 500). Participation in public events, information in mass media: LVL 1 500. 25 regional press announcements about the seminars x LVL 40 per notice = LVL 1 000. Attendance of regional seminars by three officials of the Plant Protection Department: travel expenses (per diem): LVL 4 x 3 staff x 25 seminars = LVL 300; fuel for an average of 2 375 km (average return journey of 95 km per seminar): 200 litres or LVL 200 required. 3.14.1.2 Control the use of plant protection products (including in specially protected natural areas) 5 500 5 500 Average cost of one inspection: LVL 22. Hourly remuneration of a senior inspector (family of positions and level: 26.3.III): LVL 5.21 (LVL 698/166.25 + 24.09% = LVL 5.21). One inspection requires an average of 3.5 hours (LVL 5.21 x 3.5 h = LVL 18.24). Average distance to the inspection site: 25 km. Amount of fuel required for a return journey (50 km): 4.25 litres. Assuming that fuel costs LVL 1.00 per litre, the cost of fuel required per inspection is LVL 4.25. Total per inspection: LVL 18.24 + LVL 4.25 = LVL 22. Compared with 2013, 250 additional inspections have been planned (250 inspections x LVL 22 = LVL 5 000) 3.14.1.3 Take samples of plants and plant products 12 500 12 500 Average cost of analysing one control sample of a plant/plant product to detect plant protection product residue: LVL 1 000. Compared with 2013, 50 additional tests of control samples of plant products are planned in 2014 and 2015 (50 samples x LVL 250 = LVL 12 500). Based on the procurement of the detection of plant protection product residue in samples of plants and plant products by an accredited laboratory using accredited methods in 2011 and 2012, for which service contracts were concluded, the average cost of analysing one sample is LVL 250 (depending on the detectable active substances that the product contains). 3.16.1.1 Identify the potential extent of the illegal distribution and use of plant protection products in Latvia 9 990 At least 45 field inspections are planned in 2014 (five regions, nine inspections each, LVL 22 x 45 = LVL 990); nine control samples of plant protection products at an accredited laboratory with accredited methods for which a service contract is concluded after a tender equal LVL 9 000 (LVL 1 000 x 9 = LVL 9 000). 3.17.1.3 In conducting monitoring measures, gather the necessary data for the calculation of indicators 4 961 4 961 Create and publish a database on the results of inspections of the use of plant protection products within the State Information System for the Monitoring of Agricultural Plants (in 2014 and 2015, outsourcing of the creation of the database: 205 man-hours x LVL 20 + VAT 21% = LVL 4 961) Total for SPPS 128 392 125 315 The necessary supplemental financing for 2014 and 2015 has been included in SPPS’s request for new policy initiatives for 2014-2016 in budget programme 27.00.00 “Plant health and monitoring of plant circulation”. Minister of Agriculture L. Straujuma