News

SPRINT project launched

article_published_on_label: September 15, 2020

On September 1th 2020, the SPRINT project has officially started. WUR is coordinating this new and exciting EU-funded project. SPRINT aims to bring together scientists from 14 European countries and Argentina to investigate sustainable ways of protecting plants from pests through the appropriate use of pesticides.

Farming systems in Europe still rely strongly on the use of Plant Protection Products (PPPs) to secure profitability and yields. However, the effect of PPPs wide-scale use of PPPs on humans as consumers and residents, animals, plants and ecosystems is scarce and fragmented. Next, the European commission aims to reduce the use of pesticides by 50% and the use of the most hazardous pesticides by 50% by 2030, in the context of the Farm to Fork Strategy.

Therefore, SPRINT will develop a Global Health Risk Assessment Toolbox which will evaluate the impacts on human health from pesticides, as well as the risks to plants, animals and ecosystems. This will be done using 11 different Case-Study Sites (CSS), 10 in Europe and 1 in Argentina. SLM will be coordinating the Dutch CSS, which will cover organic and conventional production of root crops.

SPRINT will engage in improving farmer and citizen awareness, joint development of novel management strategies for reduced reliance on PPP use, and creation of an enabling environment for adoption and change.

Are you interested or do you want to know more about the SPRINT project? Feel free to contact:

Prof.dr. Violette Geisen

Vera Felix da Graca Silva, MSc