Adaptation of a pesticide diagnosis method to the Poitou-Charentes region

Abstract

The diagnosis of the risks of water pollution by pesticides is a current concern in Poitou-Charentes. In front of increasing demands of tools of diagnosis the GRAP Poitou-Charentes (Regional Group of Actions against Pesticides Pollution) decided to adapt to the region a diagnosis tool. The study conducted by the FREDEC Poitou-Charentes was lead by a working group including the GRAP members concerned by the subject: administrations, farmers' associations, agricultural technical institutes, pesticides sellers. First the GRAP decided to begin the study on the parcels level; the territorial level will be studied later. The CORPEN method was retained particularly because of the combined consideration of physical environment and pesticides practices and because of the farmer implication. The adaptation of the method concerned the creation of documents helping the diagnosis leading: methodological guide, report document. These documents were tested on 20 representative farms of the regional production systems and of the regional ground types. Other documents will be written to facilitate the diagnosis: pedological guide, possible proposed solutions.