Field research for the authorisation of pesticides

Citation
Hfg. Van Dijk et al., Field research for the authorisation of pesticides, ECOTOXICOL, 9(6), 2000, pp. 377-381
Citations number
1
Categorie Soggetti
Environment/Ecology
Journal title
ECOTOXICOLOGY
ISSN journal
09639292 → ACNP
Volume
9
Issue
6
Year of publication
2000
Pages
377 - 381
Database
ISI
SICI code
0963-9292(200012)9:6<377:FRFTAO>2.0.ZU;2-3
Abstract
On request of the Dutch government a committee of the Health Council of the Netherlands has reviewed the role that results of field research in its br oadest sense (i.e., including multi-species toxicity tests in the laborator y, research on model ecosystems et cetera) can play in ecotoxicological ris k assessment for the authorisation of pesticides. The Committee believes th at field research can provide valuable additional data about the exposure o f non-target organisms and the resultant effects at population, community a nd ecosystem level. However, it frequently is unclear how these data might be used in reaching a decision about authorisation. To solve this problem, it is necessary to specify what is understood by "unacceptable damage". Bot h more clearly formulated protection goals of the government and a better u nderstanding of the ecological significance of effects are needed to clarif y this. Furthermore, the Committee points out that the statistical power of field trials must be sufficient to allow for the detection of changes that might be regarded as ecologically relevant. Finally, it recommends keeping a finger on the pulse in relation to authorised pesticides by monitoring t heir presence in environmental compartments and by investigating their role in suddenly occurring mortality among conspicuous animal species, such as birds, fish and honeybees. This kind of research forms a safety net for sub stances that have been wrongly authorised.