NAPAN Programme 2018-2022.

This NAPAN Programme, based on the assessment of the 2013-2017 NAPAN, is a National Action Plan, developed under the Directive 2009/128/EC, aiming to reduce the risks associated with the use of pesticides. It comprises, like the previous Plan, (i) the Federal Plan for the Reduction of Plant Protection Products; (ii) the Brussels-Capital Region pesticide reduction programme; (iii) the Flemish Action Plan for the sustainable use of pesticides; and (iv) the Walloon pesticide reduction programme. To achieve the overall objective of a sustainable use of pesticides, the document envisages a series of interventions at both national and regional level, mainly (i) training for professionals working with plant protection products (PPPs); (ii) sale of PPPs; (iii) information and general awareness-raising on pesticides and their alternatives; (iv) Inspection of the equipment for applying PPPs; (v) prior notice of spraying to persons potentially exposed; (vi) protection of the aquatic environment; (vii) protecting targeted areas, such as public areas, wildlife, and drinking water protection areas; (viii) Handling/storage of plant protection products and their packaging and residues; (ix) Integrated Pest Management (IPM); (x) indicators for the main parameters; (xi) relevance and practicability of risk mitigation measures; and (xii) management of and follow-up to the Plan.
To make agriculture more sustainable, the NAPAN suggests interventions aim to the following (i) professional plant protection products only available to holders of a phytolicence; (ii) professional use of PPPs to reduce the contamination of surface water; (iii) sanctions for incorrect use of plant protection products by professional users; (iv) support to the use of bio-pesticides; (v) promotion of organic farming; and (vi) promotion of principles of integrated pest management.
To make agricultural system more inclusive, the NAPAN, and in particular its regional sections, proposes (i) guaranteeing access to adequate (initial and additional) training; (ii) making training materials available to everyone; and (iii) supporting citizens’ and associative initiatives providing guidance and information to and raising the awareness of individuals and professionals.