Pesticides and non-target arthropods: EFSA reviews the science

EFSA has published an opinion on the risk posed by plant protection products to non-target arthropods. The document explains the science that will support the development of a full risk assessment scheme and is based on a review of the current scheme, taking into consideration recent workshops and advances in science. EFSA’s pesticide Substance used to kill or control pests, including disease-carrying organisms and undesirable insects, animals and plants experts propose specific protection goals which aim to protect important ecosystem services Benefits to human or animal populations provided by an ecosystem, such as food or fuel provision, natural medicinal ingredients, and maintenance of soil fertility such as food web support, pest A living organism (e.g. an insect, rodent, weed, fungus or virus) that is harmful to plants and/or their products (e.g. seeds, fruits) control and biodiversity A term used to describe the variety of living organisms existing in a specific environment.

EFSA’s Panel on Plant Protection Products and their Residues (PPR) is currently revising its Guidance on Terrestrial Ecotoxicology The study of the adverse impacts of substances, particularly chemicals, in relation to the environment and public health. The Panel decided to split the task into opinions for separate organism A living thing such as humans, animals, plants and microbes (e.g. bacteria, viruses) groups, i.e. in-soil organisms, non-target arthropods, amphibians and reptiles, and non-target terrestrial plants. For each of the groups, it will first summarise the science behind the risk assessment and then develop practical guidance on how to perform the risk assessment.

• Scientific Opinion addressing the state of the science on risk assessment of plant protection products for non-target arthropods