Review of TOPPS project Train Operators to Promote best Practices & Sustainability Achievements to date 1 st April 2015 Inge Mestdagh & Thierry Schoonejans Dow AgroSciences - ECPA TOPPS is a longterm committment of the Crop Protection Industry in EU to protect water TOPPS projects are running now for 9 years with an average investment of about 630 T /a Bridge + EOS AIM Mitigation of Point sources Mitigation Diffuse sources Nov 2005 Oct 2008 Dec 2010 May 2011 Oct 2005 Dec 2010 Jan 2014 PROWADIS Point sources End 2014 Train Operators Promote best Practices & Sustainability 1
TOPPS outreach - EU TOPPS projects are Europe wide TOPPS point sources BMPs / Materials developed Europe wide (23 countries) TOPPS EOS Environmentally optimized sprayer Expert information tool. TOPPS-prowadis 7 countries BMPs + materials developed to reduce diffuse PPP losses to water TOPPS highlights the significance of the entry routes of PPP to water. Perceptions are still not always reflecting the facts Run off Drainage Point sources Spray drift 5 % Drift 30 % Run off > 50 % Point Sources The transfer of diffuse sources (from the field) to water can be reduced Point source releases mostly from farmyards can be avoided. If the problems are known you can find solutions! 2
Degradation soil, water & air laboratory & field Leaching sorption to soil groundwater modelling Risk assessment residue definition Water related information submitted to authorities for obtaining approval predicted environmental concentrations (PEC) 5 Laboratory Studies - General Controlled conditions to study individual processes temperature, moisture, dark, ph Indicate potential route & rate of degradation Tier I assessment Use 14 C-pesticide Relevant metabolites can be identified Fate of pesticide independent of formulation type except for solid granule applications 6 3
PECsw Estimation Application rate (g/ha) diluted into unit depth of soil or surface water If required, metabolite PEC = parent PEC x % x mw correction Mitigation to lower exposure soil crop interception reduces amount reaching soil surface water buffer zones reduce spray drift at application PECsw then compared to ecotox hazard data (e.g. LC 50, LD 50 or NOEC) to demonstrate acceptable safety in the risk assessment (see ecotox presentation) 7 The Environment as considered in the registration dossier AIR SOIL SURFACE WATER GROUNDWATER 8 4
TOPPS highlights the significance of the entry routes of PPP to water. Perceptions are still not always reflecting the facts Run off Drainage Point sources Spray drift 5 % Drift 30 % Run off > 50 % Point Sources The transfer of diffuse sources (from the field) to water can be reduced Point source releases mostly from farmyards can be avoided. If the problems are known you can find solutions! TOPPS organize knowledge transfer on mitigation measures to protect water with European partners Special technical expertise matched with special local expertise Multiskilled teams From farm advice to Science Holistic view practical solutions 5
TOPPS offers a toolbox of BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES if implemented will reduce water pollution with PPP point and diffuse sources almost complete consistent harmonized TOPPS BMPs are referenced in NAP and included in local official training schemes and recommendations. PL, DK, IT, ES, SL, GR, SK, BG, BE, DE, HU, FR, UK Spanish Government sponsored printing BMP booklets Avoid PPP losses from point sources Awareness of key risks helps focus on prevention higher lower Key Risks Sprayer cleaning Mixing and loading Remnant management Empty container disposal Transport to the field Farm pesticide storage Transport to the farm 6
BMPs for mixing & loading KEY BMPs FOR POINT SOURCES BMPs for cleaning sprayers (inside & outside) 3 rinsing steps in the field BMPs for remnant management EOS = Environmentally Optimised Sprayer Project to integrate sprayer technology into broader risk mitigation Tools helping to achieve a broader understanding for risk mitigation (seperate tool for field orchard/vine sprayer in 9 languages) Key objectives: create awareness + stimulate improvements + support improvements 7
Risk areas where sprayer technology can strongly contribute to water protection Risk areas PPP Waterprotection Risk evaluation Sprayer potential mitigation POINT SOURCES CLEANING +++ +++ FILLING ++ ++ REMNANT MANAGEMENT ++ +(+) STORAGE + TRANSPORT to field + ++(+) DIFFUSE SOURCE RUN OFF +++ /+ DRAINAGE +(+) DRIFT + (+) ++(+) EOS - Online tool 8
Reduce PPP losses from diffuse sources Spray drift indirect influence direct influence Key factors Wind speed Wind direction Temperature Air humidity Proximity to water Proximity sensitive area Crop treated Neighbouring vegetation Droplet size Application technique Adjustment of sprayers 9
KEY BMPs TO AVOID DRIFT Be aware of the external conditions when spraying close to sensitive areas BMPs to manage spray drift in field applications BMPs to manage drift in orchard / vine TOPPS drift evaluation tool (www.topps-drift.org) Evaluates the drift risk Modules for field, orchard and vine applications Shows how mitigation measures work and interact Tool to help reduce spray drift Tool to create awareness and support education Available in 8 languages 10
Reduce PPP losses from diffuse sources Runoff / Erosion Key factors influencing runoff What we cannot directly influence Weather Soil characteristics Form of the landscape What we can influence Field sizes Crops grown Cultivation practices Land management PPP - application 11
Toolbox of mitigation measures General description Soil management Cropping practices Reduce tillage intensity Manage tramlines Prepare rough seedbed Establish in-field bunds Use Crop rotation Do strip cropping Enlarge headlands Manage surface soil compaction Manage subsoil compaction Do contour tilling/disking Increase organic matter Use annual cover crops Use perennial cover crops Double sowing Vegetative buffers Use in-field buffers Establish talweg buffers Use riparian buffers Use edge-of-field buffers Manage field access areas Establish hedges Establish/maintain woodlands Retention structures Use edge-of-field bunds Establish veget. ditches Establish artificial wetlands/ponds Build fascines Adapted use of pesticides & fertilizer Optimized irrigation Adapt application timing Optimize seasonal timing Adapt product and rate selection Adapt irrigation technique Optimize irrigation timing and rate 23 TOPPS organizes knowledge transfer on Best Management Practices to protect water from European partners to local advisers, farmers and stakeholders Training and demonstrations Presentations Publications Videos, picture gallery Websites Materials (BMPs, flyers, ppt courses, diagnosis tools) TOPPS prowadis (Topps life /EOS not included > than 7000 advisers / farmers trained Presentations at conferences and stakeholder meetings (> 40) Publications / Articles > 50 Sprayer adjustment, runoff symptoms / measures TOPPS local materials on local websites Basic materials (8 languages), online tools. Materials requested for adviser / farmer trainings 12
TOPPS clearly increased awareness for water protection but implementation remains the challenge! Implementation of measures means additional investment in time and / or money for the operator supported through competent advice (along the whole process) incentives on measures implemented constructive cooperation among stakeholders AWARENESS IMPLEMENTATION TOPPS Water Protection Project Making a difference in the field 13
Scope of TOPPS Projects Advisor Farmer Advisor Farmer Farmer Advisor Advisor Farmer 27 Project ObjectivesI Strengthen and optimize dissemination of knowledge Reduce point & diffuse sources Equipment Infrastructure Correct behaviour EU Training Program Country Training Hubs EU Experts Advisors Distributors BMP uptake in policies Bring advice to Farmer and support BMP implementation in the field 28 14
Project Objectives II Filling the Gaps Complete set of water protection BMPs for Drainage Leaching Kodešová, R., et al. 2010. Vadose Zone J., 213-225. Improve sprayer technology Increase awareness and create pull for technological improvements and continued innovation Engage with sprayer manufacturers to develop fit for purpose tool Concept Case Study Starting 2016? Establish methodology for pollution pathway diagnosis (point&diffuse) in catchments Apply full TOPPS-BMP toolbox in catchments with stakeholder cooperations (farmers, advisors, water companies) Demonstrate effectiveness of concerted implementation of TOPPS toolbox 29 Project Set up and Scope Project Set-up - 12 EU Member States - Multi-stakeholder partnering - Budget 1,8 mio / 3years - March 2015 to March 2018 (3 years) Proposed Country Scope Core Countries: BE, DE, ES, FR, IT, PL New (extension) Countries GR, PT, HU, RO, SK, NL 30 15
Project Activities in Countries Core Countries (+ NL) Intensify dissemination of BMPs in relevant stakeholder communities: Farmers, Advisers presentations, workshops, TV program Promote TOPPS materials and integrate in education system & official trainings Demonstrate BMPs at demofarms (risk diagnosis & mitigation measures) Enable knowledge transfer to specific target groups water companies, catchment managers, distributors, authorities Extension Countries Translate, adapt, and publish complete set of TOPPS materials workshops, conferences Train national partners on BMPs and tools by core partners Disseminate BMPs and tools to key stakeholder communities workshops, trainings, fairs Promote TOPPS materials for integration into official trainings Set-up pilot areas to demonstrate BMPs (risk diagnosis & mitigation measures) 31 Project Activities at EU Level EU Training Program Development Complete EU toolbox to include drainage and leaching BMPs via EU expert working groups Define EU training program and develop high-level course contents & materials via TOPPS expert network Implementation Hold EU-level training courses Organize EU stakeholder events for BMP dissemination and to promote uptake in policies Case Study Develop pollution pathway diagnosis and targeted mitigation concept (all sources) via TOPPS & industry experts Identify suitable catchment(s) and stakeholders for case study excercise Implement BMPs at catchment level and evaluate available monitoring data 32 16
CONCLUSION PPP losses to water can be reduced for diffuse sources and can be largely avoided for point sources Correct behaviour of the operator is essential Improved techniques and infrastructure can help a lot TOPPS - BMPs delivered through competent advice is necessary OTHER ECPA FUNDED STEWARDSHIP INITIATIVES TO PROTECT WATER 17
Vegetative buffer strips (VBS) To improve water quality while maintaining productive agriculture. It is about protecting water from contamination with plant protection products that can run off from the field. Explaining how vegetative buffer strips can be put in place along water bodies, and the benefits of doing this. A removable sticker has been included on most of the products destined for use on field/orchard crops near water bodies For now, been implemented in Spain and Poland Sustainable Water Management (SWM) at CPP Production Sites Aims to demonstrate that our production sites are not a threat to good water status Intends to prove that during manufacturing of our products water is not polluted in an unacceptable degree. By implementing the European Water Stewardship Standard (EWS) at our production sites we i) monitor water use in all aspects ii) assess its impacts on all water bodies and related high-value ecosystems iii) show continuous improvement The industry wants to be transparent regarding our high standards for water management at our industry sites The industry wants to communicate to society that water is managed sustainably in all aspects at our CPP production sites in the EU The industry wants to show that we keep our own house in order, while we also request good water protection practices from our customers in agriculture 18
Providing Analytical Standards for Better Water Monitoring Plant protection industry often faces mistrust of society and monitoring stakeholders (e.g. environmental authorities, drinking water providers) regarding the presence of pesticide residues in water. Water monitoring without high-quality analytical standard requires additional efforts and bears the risk of incorrect results. This project shows to society that industry provides analytical standards to all relevant stakeholders in a transparent way: We have nothing to hide. analytical standard = small amount of certified reference compound for analytical purposes important for simple and accurate analytics: reference for identification of analytes by mass spectrometry reference for accurate quantification of analytes by calibration commercially available for active compounds, but availability limited in particular for metabolites Visit TOPPS under: www.topps-life.org www.topps-eos.org www.topps-drift.org 38 19
Thank you for your attention 20