EFSA consults on risk assessment of plant protection products for in-soil organisms

EFSA has launched a public consultation on a Scientific Opinion of the EFSA Panel on Plant Protection Products and their Residues on addressing the state of the science on risk assessment of plant protection products for in-soil organisms. Taking into account new regulatory frameworks and scientific developments, the current risk assessment approach is reviewed. 

Proposals are made  for  specific protection goals  for  in-soil  organisms  being  key  drivers  for  relevant  ecosystem  services  in  agricultural  landscapes such as nutrient cycling, soil structure, pest control and biodiversity. Considering the time- scales and biological processes related to the dispersal of the majority of in-soil organisms compared to terrestrial non-target arthropods living above soil, the Panel proposes that in-soil environmental risk assessments  are made  at  in-  and  off-field  scale  and  field  boundary  levels. A new testing strategy which takes into account the relevant exposure routes for in-soil organisms and the potential indirect effects is proposed.  In order to address species recovery and long-term impacts of PPPs, the use of population models is proposed.

 

Interested parties are invited to submit written comments by 10th June 2016.

 

Document of this public consultation can be found here.