1. 5.3 Pesticides data for 2011 and the future
AEI Working Group meeting on pesticide statistics 26 and 27 September 2013
5.3 Pesticides data for 2011 and the future

2. Introduction
This item is meant to be a discussion forum on issues of common interest.
Participants are welcome to share experiences of the matters arising, and if possible help creating common guidelines for European pesticide statistics

3. Substances not authorised vs not marketed
There are presently 518 active substances in Annex III
This doesn't mean that they are authorised in all countries, neither that are actually sold
Eurostat considers it important to know the difference
Suggestion:
Blank cells for substances not authorised
"0" for substances authorised but not marketed or sold
"0" values cannot be confidential

4. Foreign companies
Member States that collect data from authorisation holders have reported difficulties collecting data
It might be difficult to get the contact information
National laws may state that foreign companies are not required to provide information
Regulation 1107/2009 stipulates that authorisation holders must provide statistical authorities with all sales data
In case of problems, the national competent authority should be contacted

5. Exported pesticides
Pesticides might be sold in a country but used in another one
This is for example the case for seed treatment if the seeds are exported
The statistics are to be collected in the countries where the pesticides are actually used, that is "spread into nature". After all they are collected to show the risks involved
The country where the seeds are planted is the one where the data should be collected

6. Seed treatment
In pesticide use statistics the amount of pesticides used for seed treatment is at that stage not agricultural use
However, when the farmer plants the treated seed, the data should be collected
The publication "A common methodology for the collection of pesticide usage within agriculture and horticulture” advises to retain the information from the seed labels or from the seed company

7. Selection of crops for use statistics
Annex II of 1185/2009 states that each Member State shall establish the selection of crops to be covered in pesticide use statistics.
The selection shall be designed to be representative of the crops cultivated in the Member State and of the substances used.
There is no definition on this issue and no indication in the regulation that Eurostat has the right to set up a common methodology.

8. Selection of crops for use statistics
% of UAA
Belgium
89,78%
Luxembourg
97,32%
Bulgaria
52,65%
Hungary
59,08%
Czech Republic
58,81%
Malta
63,78%
Denmark
94,40%
Netherlands
39,19%
Germany
50,85%
Austria
27,53%
Estonia
93,32%
Poland
55,89%
Ireland
84,78%
Portugal
11,65%
Greece
56,09%
Romania
91,44%
Spain
23,20%
Slovenia
92,23%
France
88,97%
Slovakia
91,43%
Italy
32,87%
Finland
75,87%
Cyprus
59,68%
Sweden
No info 
Latvia
32,74%
United Kingdom
95,25%
Lithuania
43,28%
Norway
78,81%
PT will add crops in 2014

9. Selection of crops for use statistics
Eurostat has identified 221 different crops and aggregates that could be taken into consideration
Romania has indicated 134 crops and aggregates to be surveyed
Bulgaria has so far indicated 5 items
Many countries have indicated aggregates as crops to be surveyed
Is it worthwhile to produce data on "Vegetables"? What is the added value to the user, especially if no data exists on the actual crops?

10. Selection of crops for use statistics
Apples 20
Common winter wheat 18
Spring barley 16
Potatoes
Sugar beet 15
Carrots 14
Onions
Winter rape 13
Common spring wheat 12
Winter barley
Oats
Green maize
Cabbage (white)
Tomatoes under glass 11
Strawberries
Cucumbers under glass 10

11. Selection of crops for use statistics
In the ideal case the crops and substances surveyed are depending on questions like:
Is a crop is normally treated with pesticides? For example rough grazing is by definition not treated with pesticides or fertilisers
Can information for another crop serve as a proxy?
Are the pesticides used creating high or low risk to humans and environment?
Sulphur is used in high doses, but the risk is not high.
The new "gram per ha" substances are used in low doses, but can have a very high impact on specific parts of environment.

12. Selection of crops for use statistics
Agricultural use includes also horticulture and storage on the farms
All agricultural and horticultural sectors should be surveyed, smaller sectors might have the biggest actual threats
Costs are high, so the maximum use must be achieved, this mainly in attempting to identify the risks
These considerations can only be handled in good cooperation between pesticide experts and statisticians

13. Questions to the meeting
Have you experienced problems when using NRME?
Are there other issues related to the first set of quality reports you want to bring for discussion?
Do you agree with the two draft Quality reports?
Do you agree to use the NRME, except for the comparison between pesticide use and sales and the reports of the pilot studies? 13