National Action Plan for the sustainable use of plant protection products for the period 2013 2017.

This National Action Plan for the Sustainable Use of Plant Protection Products for the Period 2013 2017 is a cross-sectoral policy document. The overall objective of the National Action Plan is to bring about a decline in the risk trend. The plan s aim is to improve sustainable plant protection even further by developing and implementing integrated pest management measures and different cultivation systems, including organic production.
The NAP seeks to make agriculture more sustainable. Two of the five objectives of the NAP are: 1. to reduce the risks to the environment and to health; 2. to bring the levels of plant protection products in surface water and groundwater down almost to zero in line with the Swedish Parliament s Non-toxic environment environmental quality objective by 2020. The measures in the action plan focus on achieving the objectives and on targeted activities based on the specified risks involved in using plant protection products and opportunities for reducing these risks. The focus is on narrowing down the risks to health and the environment, so that measures are taken in areas where the problems are greatest. Specific measures to protect the aquatic environment and drinking water are discussed in the NAP. Actions proposed include: 1. The actions specified in the the Sustainable Use Directive or simply the Directive (2009/128/EC), in particular in Articles 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15. 2. Training, information and advice to restrict the use of growth regulators in cereals and to prevent the need for products to stop pre-harvest sprouting. 3. Training, information and advice about integrated pest management, in other words, the tailored use of plant protection products and the application of alternative approaches or techniques, safe handling routines etc. 4. Better information about products and their use with the aim of improving the application and handling of plant protection products.
The NAP seeks to contribute to more inclusive and efficient agricultural and food systems. Three of the five objectives of the NAP are: 1. ensure that residues of plant protection products in domestically grown vegetables; are low and do not present a risk to consumers 2. ensure that professional users of plant protection products are exposed to a low level of risk by taking safety measures and establishing appropriate working processes; 3. develop and use sustainable cultivation systems to a greater extent, including alternative approaches or techniques, in order to reduce dependency on chemical plant protection products. Chemical controls must only be used when necessary and in such a way as to minimise the risks to health and the environment. Biological plant protection products and alternative approaches or techniques should be used whenever possible. The Swedish Government is promoting and supporting organic production by providing financial compensation as part of the Swedish Rural Development Programme for the period 2007 2013. In addition, the NAP proposes a set of measures for 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.