HELCOM RECOMMENDATION 8/2

Adopted 25 February 1987, having regard to Article 13, Paragraph b) of the Helsinki Convention

RECOMMENDATION CONCERNING MEASURES TO REDUCE POLLUTION BY PESTICIDES FROM AGRICULTURE

THE COMMISSION,

RECALLING that according to Article 6 of the Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area, 1974, (Helsinki Convention), the Contracting Parties undertake to take all appropriate measures to control and minimize land-based pollution of the marine environment of the Baltic Sea Area,

RECOGNIZING the importance of agriculture as a source of pollution of the environment by pesticides,

DESIRING to limit this pollution by accomplishing special measures concerned,

RECOMMENDS to the Governments of the Contracting Parties to the Helsinki Convention that the use of pesticides in agriculture should be managed under the following conditions in conformity with the code of conduct on the distribution and use of pesticides adopted by the FAO in 1985:

a) Application technology and practice should be designed to prevent unintentional application or run-off of pesticides to bodies of water. Establishment of protection zones beside bodies of water should be encouraged and application by aircraft should be strictly controlled;

b) Handling and storage of pesticides should be carried out so that there is no spillage or leakage to bodies of water or to the groundwater. Washing of spraying equipment and disposal of pesticide containers should be strictly controlled;

c) Knowledge about the environmental problems caused by pesticides should be improved by collecting and exchanging information on the presence and effects of pesticides in the marine environment of the Baltic Sea and watercourses discharging to the Baltic Sea;

HELCOM RECOMMENDATION 8/2 page 2

d) The environmentally sound use of pesticides should be encouraged by informing and educating farmers and advisors along the lines indicated in the Annex;

e) Alternative methods of control of agricultural pests and weeds should be developed and their use encouraged wherever appropriate,

RECOMMENDS ALSO that the Contracting Parties should report on their national measures taken in accordance with this Recommendation by 1 March 1988,

RECOMMENDS FURTHER that information on results of investigations and approved technology should be exchanged between the Contracting Parties.

Annex

Education and information should aim at - preventive methods

- integrated methods aiming at using a minimum of chemicals

Spraying equipment

- better service and maintenance - control of the function

- development of better equipment

Pesticide registration

- reconsideration of old substances

- strict requirements for the approval of new substances

Extension service

- better prognostigation system for the need of action against pests and weeds

- better practical advice

- due to the actual situation of the actual field and farm

- due to the crop rotation

- due to crop and crop variety

- choice of the best moment for spraying regarding the crop, the pest or weed, the temperature, the wind, the moisture of the air, etc.

- choosing as low dosage as possible

- choosing as environmentally harmless pesticide as possible

- giving practical advice of other methods than chemical methods