18 pollinators and agriculture
5.3.1 Pesticides Plant protection products (pesticides) contain biologically active compounds developed for the purpose of protecting plants. Insecticides control pest insect populations; herbicides control weeds, while fungicides are used to control fungal plant diseases. Pesticides are essential for providing safe, affordable and nutritious food at the quality and quantity required by today’s large and rapidly growing population. Pesticides, both organic and synthetic, are examples of many contemporary agricultural tools that have potential to influence pollinator species. In order for pesticides to fulfil the role of crop protection, they must be biologically active. Because non-target organisms can be exposed, a comprehensive body of legislation has been established to evaluate the safety of plant protection products. European regulations ensure that when applied properly, pesticides do not cause unacceptable effects on non-target organisms, such as honey bees and worms.
“
Of all factors that pose potential threat to pollinators, only pesticides are subject to tests, risk assessment and risk management.
Tests and risk assessments (Table 3) on organisms follow scientific principles found in ecotoxicology and must be completed before product registration. The honey bee has been selected as a representative pollinator species in the registration process. According to Regulation (EC) No.1107/2009, a plant protection product shall be approved only when it “…has no unacceptable acute or chronic effects on colony survival and development, taking into account effects on honeybee larvae and honeybee behavior”21.
Accordingly, complex data sets are generated in the context of registration. Testing is undertaken using a step-wise approach incorporating different levels of testing, for example, laboratory, semi-field (cage tests) and field studies. Substances that fail the first step of tests progress to the next stage of testing, and so on. This testing scheme ensures organisms are not tested upon unnecessarily while at the same time correct risk management can be developed for registration, or that the substance may not be registered for certain uses or crops. Most tests are based on guidelines of internationally accepted organisations like EPPO (European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organisation) or OECD (Office for Economic Cooperation and Development). Based on the information collected during these tests, risk assessments are conducted by applicants and peer-reviewed by independent authorities. Table 3
Tests to which pesticide products may currently be subjected*
Test type
Testing principle
Acute toxicity test
Oral and contact toxicity test done in laboratory.
Bee brood test
Test of bee brood in laboratory, semi-field or field.
Residue test
Aged residue test on foliage.
Cage test / tunnel test
Bees are exposed to a blooming field within a confined area (cage, tent or tunnel).
Field trials
Bee colonies are exposed to realistic field conditions.
Systemicity test
Testing of soil-applied systemic products. Tests include realistic exposure conditions.
Metabolite test
Metabolites tested if they are pesticidal active molecules.
“
Adhering to product label specifications is obligatory when using pesticides.
___ * The data requirements under Regulation 1107/2009 which describe the list of studies applicants must perform as part of a pesticide application, are currently being revised by the European Commission. Revisions apply across all sections including human health and environment. Consequently there may be modifications to data requirements and studies specified for honey bees and other non-target arthropods as a result of these revisions.