SUSTAINABLE USE OF PESTICIDES IN FOOD PRODUCTION RISK MANAGEMENT

While the impact of climate change on the agriculture is highly publicized, other environmental problems such as pests and crop diseases are no less significant. To combat their adverse effects, diverse plant protection products (PPPs) can be adopted as a means of prevention and eradication of harmful organisms. However, empirical evidence shows that inappropriate PPP use is a major obstacle to the attainment of high-quality and healthy agricultural products. As incorrect PPP application leads to pesticide residues on edible produce, it poses risk to human and animal health, but also contributes to environmental pollution, loss of biodiversity, and financial losses. Thus, to provide sufficient food for continually expanding world population, the use of available agricultural land has to be maximized by optimizing the agricultural production without undermining health and safety or increasing cost. This ambitious goal can only be achieved through the sustainable PPP use, given that a significant reduction or a complete ban of PPPs would lower the yield, leading to limited availability and higher product prices. Unprofessional and uncontrolled use of PPPs is unacceptable for consumers, and climate change makes the PPP application outcomes difficult to predict, it is crucial to manage future PPP use as a part of the safe food production initiative. In Europe, sustainable PPP use is governed by the Directive 2009/128/EC, which mandates high degree of professionalism from not only farmers, but also plant protection experts and local authorities. Close cooperation among these entities can secure sustainable food production focused on Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and non-chemical alternatives to pesticides, while eliminating the risk of PPP residues, thereby protecting human health and the environment. In the Republic of Serbia, legislation on the PPP use is harmonized with the EU law. Specifically, Law on Plant Protection Products prescribes that all farmers must complete mandatory training on the sustainable PPP use, whereby only certified individuals are permitted to purchase and use PPPs in keeping with the relevant application guidelines.