Studies on the spray drift of plant protection products: Results of a test program carried out throughout the Federal Republic of Germany

摘要

During the years from 1989 until 1992, 119 drift measurements in field crops (cereals excluding maize), grapevine, fruit crops (mainly apple orchards) and hops were carried out in accordance with the "Drift Guideline" of the Federal Biological Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry (BBA) in Braunschweig by plant protection product manufacturers and agencies of the official Crop Protection Service in a measurement program being coordinated throughout the Federal Republic of Germany. These studies had become necessary in order to replace the unsatisfactory data base by new scientifically founded results of measurement. The BBA together with the Federal Institute for Health Protection of Consumers and Veterinary Medicine and the Federal Environmental Office as authorities who have to declare their consent with the authorization, are in need of results of drift measurements in order to allow a reliable assessment of the exposure of areas or waters adjacent to the treated area. This assessment must be made within the scope of the authorization procedure for plant protection products. This is because according to § 15 of the Plant Protection Act, plant protection products can only be authorized a.o. under the condition that based on the latest scientific knowledge no untolerable effects on the environment are to be expected.