Good agricultural practice in the use of plant protection products

Agriculture is the world's second largest source of employment, often involving long hours and heavy work in challenging climates and harsh conditions. The continued development of sustainable intensive agriculture is essential to maintain the quality and quantity of agricultural products for consumers, particularly with the scarcity of natural resources, climate change, a growing world population and the physical limitation of productive agricultural land. On farm best management practices (BMPs) during transport, storage and use of crop protection products (CPP) help to avoid the contamination of operators, soil and water bodies. Also, the correct disposal of empty CPP containers and remnants from spraying is crucial to avoid point source contamination of water bodies. BMPs include wearing appropriate personal protective equipment to prevent direct contact with crop protection products. When BMPs are in place for handling and using PPPs and product spills are managed properly, the risk of contamination both to humans and the environment will be reduced significantly. Farmers around the world should be aware that land and water management are critical for agriculture and ecosystems. On-farm water management optimizes water use for crops and other farm operations. Spray drift, drain flow, run off and leaching from fields may cause contamination of surface and ground water. The adoption of best management practices, such as field margins, optimized irrigation systems and best in class application technology, will help to prevent such contamination as well as improve agricultural productivity. Significant surface water contamination can also occur as a result of improper filling and cleaning of spray equipment. It is simple and easy to prevent by using separated based systems to collect this and other waste water. In separation based systems, waste water is put in a container. Crop protection products are then physically separated from the water, e.g. by evaporating the water into the atmosphere with the help of the wind and sun, which leaves the residues of crop protection products in the container.