NoPeCo2 - publication

Plant protection products are used to protect crops from pests in agriculture, forestry, and horticulture. However, they cause chemical pollution, which is one of the critical global environmental problems. Information exchange between authorities in the Northern European Zone is important because environmental conditions and agricultural practices affecting pesticide fate and risks differ between countries, and especially compared with conditions in central and southern Europe.

In September 2024, Luke organized the 3rd Workshop on Pesticide Fate and Effects on the Environment in the Northern Zone. The aim of the workshop was to improve networking and knowledge exchange among experts from the Nordic and Baltic countries working on this topic. The final day of the workshop was dedicated to discussions on current knowledge of pesticide use and residues in the Northern Zone, with the goal of preparing a scientific review publication. As data on pesticide use, residues, and risks are currently dispersed across different databases maintained by authorities and researchers, and are mostly published only in national outlets, there is a strong need to collect, analyze, and publish this information in a single, comprehensive publication.

The NoPeCo2 project continues this publication process by collecting data on the use, residues, and risks of pesticides in the Nordic and Baltic countries and by considering ways to reduce pesticide-related risks to the environment. The review paper will also identify data gaps and future research needs, and provide recommendations for risk reduction. The outcomes of this work will enhance expert knowledge, support the development of risk assessment processes, and contribute to reducing pesticide risks in the Nordic and Baltic countries and across the EU.