Some Plant Protection Products can be harmful to the health of the environment, plants, animals and people. However, we do not know exactly how harmful. Therefore, the SPRINT research team is developing a toolbox with which these effects can be measured and the transition to more sustainable PPP use can be accelerated. 

Farmers rely on Plant Protection Products (PPPs) to optimise their yields, but this is not always justified. However, data on the risks and impacts of PPPs are scarce and fragmented. The aim of SPRINT is therefore to develop a Global Health Risk Assessment Toolbox with which to comprehensively measure and assess the impact of pesticides on ecosystems and on the health of plants, animals and people. The team is also assessing the ecological and economic sustainability of alternative strategies for the use of pesticides and working this out in transition paths.

Multi-actor approach

Various partners are involved in the SPRINT project, including Utrecht University and Wageningen University & Research. Together they develop novel strategies for reduced reliance on PPP use and to improve the awareness of farmers and citizens. They do this based on a multi-actor approach in which they engage various stakeholders and identify their needs. The research is divided into 9 work packages and will take place at 10 EU Case Study Sites (CSS) and one CSS in Argentina.