National action Plan for sustainable pesticide use in the Republic of Bulgaria.

This National Action Plan describes the way in which Bulgaria will ensure implementation of the requirements in this sphere. It defines the objectives, measures, schedules and indicators for the reduction of risks and impact of the use of pesticides on human health and the environment. Pursuant to the requirements of the Directive, it sets out the actions to be taken to encourage integrated pest management and alternative approaches or technologies to reduce dependence on pesticide use. The Directive also envisages observation on the part of Member States of the use of plant protection products containing active substances which give rise to particular concern and the setting of schedules and objectives to cut down on their use, particularly when this represents a suitable way of reducing risk. The Action Plan lists the main legal requirements in the sphere of plant protection, and specifically as regards plant protection products, including rules on their safe and controlled sale, proper use and so on with the aim of protecting human health and taking care of the environment.
Requirements object of this text are in relation with the necessary access to initial and supplementary training of professional users of plant protection; products, distributors and consultants and a certification system for individuals possessing the required knowledge; sale of pesticides; information and awareness programmes relating to pesticides; systems for gathering information relating to cases of acute and chronic pesticide poisoning; checking the equipment used to apply pesticides; aerial spraying; protection of the aquatic environment and drinking water; reduction of pesticide use or risks in specific areas; handling of pesticides and treatment of their packaging and residues; storage of pesticides; integrated pest management; risk indicators.
The National Action Plan for Sustainable Pesticide Use in the Republic of Bulgaria was drawn up and adopted on the basis of Article 4 of Directive 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, among several other European and national legislation linked to sustainable use of pesticides, as listed on pages 8-11 of this text; Plant protection products are authorized for marketing and use within Bulgaria when they comply with the requirements of Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 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. In Bulgaria, plant protection products are marketed and used following an authorization by the Executive Director of the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency. The Preventive Action Directorate implements the policy for the prevention and control of environmental pollution, including: application of international chemicals management conventions, including the Conventions on Prior Informed Consent for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade, Persistent Organic Pollutants and the Transboundary Effects of Industrial Accidents. It draws up proposals for the assessment of substances, the identification of particularly hazardous substances for authorization and restrictions on chemicals. It implements measures concerning the import and export of hazardous chemicals, and provides information to the public on chemical risks and how to use chemicals safely.
To reduce dependence on pesticide use, the National Action Plan for Sustainable Pesticide Use sets out two main objectives, each of which has defined sub-objectives. The first one is aimed at reducing the risks and impact of pesticide use on human health and the environment, aimed at setting the necessary protection of human health and preventive protection of consumers by reducing pesticide residues in food of plant origin; reducing the risk of pesticide residues in food intended for children, as the most vulnerable consumer group; avoiding and/or reducing the risk of pesticide residues in drinking water and bottled water; protection of professional users, operators and agricultural workers by reducing exposure to pesticides; protection of residents and bystanders (people who happen to be present or passing by) in zones where pesticides are used by avoiding and/or reducing their exposure to pesticides; protection of the general public and vulnerable population groups by avoiding and/or reducing the risks of pesticides in public spaces and recreational zones; protection of recreational consumers using pesticides on their own crops, gardens, yards, etc; protection of the environment, here aimed at: avoiding and/or reducing pesticide pollution of water and soil; avoiding and/or reducing the risk of pesticide residues in water sources (both surface and groundwater); avoiding and/or reducing the impact of pesticides on biodiversity, with special attention being devoted to bees and other non-target organisms. The second main objective is aimed at promoting integrated pest management and alternative approaches or methods, including: developing integrated pest management systems and alternative plant protection approaches or methods; introduction of the integrated pest management through information campaigns and incentives, including financial incentives, for agricultural producers applying general and/or specific principles of integrated pest management; encouraging the use of non-chemical alternatives to pesticides wherever possible.