start2 - Management Strategies for Hormonally Active Agrochemicals

Duration: 01.10.2008 - 31.03.2010

The widespread use of plant protection products and its possible negative impacts on humans and the environment is a highly topical and controversial issue. Of particular concern here are chemicals that can disturb the hormone system of humans and animals. Their emission into the environment can lead to a systemic risk for our food and drinking water supplies, ecosystems and human health. Together with experts from relevant fields of practice the project develops precautionary management strategies for dealing with these problematic substances - strategies that complement the current statutory regula-tions.

Background

A minimum application of chemicals is indispensable for the protection of plants and animals in high return-oriented agriculture. However, the use of plant protection products also carries the potential of serious hazards for humans and the environment. Of particular concern here are chemicals that can disturb an organism's hormone system. Recent research results confirm for example the suspicion that there is a relationship between the increased occurrence of hormon-ally active chemicals in the environment and the observed rise in specific disruptions of the reproductive, nervous and immune systems in humans and animals.
We still lack a sound scientific basis for assessing the risks to humans and the environment. For example, organisms are exposed to a whole cocktail of chemicals in their environments. Ac-cording to the current state of knowledge, it is considered probable that negative effects - such as disturbance of the hormone system - are cumulative here. It remains unclear how such com-bined effects can be taken into consideration in the risk assessment of agrochemicals. Due to this uncertain scientific basis, an evaluation of the higher legal interest in cases of doubt is al-ways dependent on the needs, interests and values of the different stakeholders. Rigid bodies of rules cannot adequately resolve this constantly changing, conflict-laden situation.

Project description

Cooperative strategies can decisively strengthen precaution in dealing with hormonally active agrochemicals. Prerequisite for the success of such an approach is that each of the societal groups involved is provided with its own options for action. In start2 these are determined by investigating the areas "Development of Active Agents", "Handling of Agrochemicals", and "Technical Emissions Management". To ensure the practical relevance of the results, farmers are consulted about their experience in the operational handling of agrochemicals and with the current statutory regulations. In addition, an expert dialogue will be initiated between represen-tatives of agricultural practice, consultancy and administration, the chemicals industry, water management bodies, environmental and consumer associations and the Administration.
Using this approach the project employs the results of the parent project start ("Management Strategies for Pharmaceutical Residues in Drinking Water"). The start results demonstrated that a systemic perspective on social-ecological problems can lead to better solutions for society. 

Project homepage: www.start-project.de

Contact:

Dr. Florian Keil
Institut for Social-Ecological Research (ISOE)
Hamburger Alle 45
D-60486 Frankfurt
Phone: +49 69 707 69 19 39
Fax: +49 69 707 69 19 11
E-mail: keil[at]isoe.de