Development and implementation of exceptions to the use of plant protection products and accompanying measures in the “Spreewald Plant Protection Project”

Abstract

In the Spreewald region (German Federal Land Brandenburg), which is characterised by a whole network of ditches and canals, the regulations NW6xx for the application of plant protection products have restricted the regionally vital vegetable-growing considerably due to untreated side strips alongside waterbodies. In order to make the use of plant protection products possible close to waterbodies considering the protection of aquatic communities, rules of exception have been made, introduced, and referred to as “Spreewald Plant Protection Project”. The article describes fundamentals and decisions to define exceptions and accompanying measures and explains the contents of the decree on the “Spreewald Plant Protection Project” put into force in 2004. The experiences within the project are reported about.