Malta’s National Action Plan for Sustainable Use of Pesticides 2013 – 2018.

This Malta’s National Action Plan (NAP) for Sustainable Use of Pesticides 2013 – 2018 is a national cross-sectoral policy document. It sets out a national strategy and established objectives, targets, measures, and timelines to reduce risks and impacts of pesticide use on human health and the environment, whilst encouraging integrated pest management and alternative approaches or techniques to reduce pesticide-use dependency.
The NAP seeks to make agriculture more productive and sustainable. Switching to available practices and approved products with the lowest risk to human health and the environment for the same pest problem will be promoted. The courses to professional users of Plant Protection Products shall include the contents on: Health and Environmental Risks related to use of Plant Protection Products; Environmental Fate of Pesticides and protected areas under Directive 2000/60/EC; Responsible Use, Disposal, Record Keeping and Disposal of Plant Protection Products; etc. Appropriate risk measures will be taken to protect the aquatic environment and drinking water supplies from the impact of pesticides through the adoption of risk mitigation measures. Risk indicators shall be developed for coastal and inland surface waters, ground water, drinking water, biodiversity and soil.
The NAP seeks to contribute to more inclusive and efficient agricultural and food systems. Measures are proposed in the following areas: 1. Information and Awareness Raising. The MCCAA offers a number of courses to professional users of Plant Protection Products. To date approximately 30per cent of farmers have been recognised as professional users of Plant Protection Products. It is the MCCAA’s aim that by 2013 all users are recognised as professional users, after which appropriate action will be taken against users who are not yet recognised as professional users by end of 2013, at the latest. Following appropriate training, distributors of Plant Protection Products need to be certified by the MCCAA. 2. Integrated Pest Management. MCCAA will take all the necessary measures to promote low pesticide-input pest management, with special priority, where possible to non-chemical methods, through awareness programmes and campaigns. 3.Farm Advisory Services. The use of financial aid through the Rural Development Programme should provide a incentive to farmers to make use of services. 4. Development of Guidelines. Appropriate guidelines will be developed to encourage professional users to attain harmonized sustainable use of pesticides in the best way possible. In addition, the Plan proposes a set of measures for promotion of organic farming, handling and storage of pesticides and treatment of their packaging and remnants, equipment for application of plant protection products and inspection thereof, aerial spraying, etc.