New Project looks to speed pesticide transition - SPRINT

 

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The European Commission launched the Farm to Fork and Biodiversity Strategies on May 20th, 2020. These two strategies recognise the risks and consequences of chemical pesticides on human health as well as soil, water, and biodiversity.

The Farm to Fork Strategy sets a target to reduce the overall use and risk of chemical pesticides by 50% and the use of more hazardous pesticides by 50% by 2030. For the first time, a quantified pesticide reduction target is set at the EU level. Moreover, the goals are set for at least 25% of EU agricultural land to be under organic farming management by 2030, that no chemical pesticides be used in sensitive areas such as EU urban green areas, and the decline of pollinators be reversed. 

 

The next few years will be crucial for turning these targets into practical action. SPRINT, as a ‘Horizon 2020 project’ launching in September 2020, will contribute to achieving these targets. 

Professor Violette Geissen of Wageningen University coordinates the SPRINT consortium of 28 partners across Europe and Argentina. Professor Geissen said:

“I’m really looking forward to launching SPRINT in September, we have a world class team of scientists from across Europe and Argentina, and together we are looking forward to making a meaningful contribution to the Farm to Fork and Biodiversity strategies.”

SPRINT will conduct multi-disciplinary research to:

  • Develop, test, validate and deliver a Global Health Risk Assessment Toolbox for the integrated assessment of the impacts of pesticides on terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems as well as on plant, animal and human health. Three main attributes for health status will be examined: resilience, reproduction/productivity and manifestation of diseases.
  • Harmonise data collection approaches across Europe and collect the critical data needed to inform integrated approaches to fully assess overall risks and impacts of pesticide formulations, residues and metabolites.
  • Assess the environmental and economic sustainability of alternative strategies to pesticide use.
  • Develop transition pathways towards more sustainable plant protection in a multi-actor approach

SPRINT will be active in 10 Case study sites across Europe and in 1 Argentinian site.

For more information or to follow the project, please subscribe to our social media feeds or mailing list, drop by our website or send us an email. 

Follow us on twitter: @SprintH2020

Visit our website: https://sprint-h2020.eu/

Press contacts: Violette Geissen +31317485144; Matt Reed +44 7813201807 – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.