b'focus on pragmatic approaches and avoidagriculture is a way to apply the rightexposure of operators and bystanders: unnecessary administrative burdens fortreatment, in the right amount, in thea careful management system ensuring farmers and Member States. In short, itright place, at the right time. It is a farm- safety and environmental protection. must be user friendly in order to ensureing management system based on obser- Therefore, seed treatment should be an the uptake by farmers. In addition, propervation, measurement and responding tointegral part of IPM schemes.uptake of IPM also depends on the avail- variabilities inside and between fields.ability of a broad toolbox for producers.Our industry is very active in theES: WHAT IS THE BIGGEST WATCH-Farmers can only reduce inputs if theydevelopment of alternatives for farmersOUT?have access to alternatives, includingsuch precision and digital technologiesAK:The current text foresees a total ban a combination of agronomic practices,and have been for many years. In 2020,on PPP use insensitive areas . This chemical and biological solutions, seedthe crop protection industry committedwould have drastic effects on agricultural treatment, new breeding technologies,to invest 14B in the development of digi- productivity in several Member States as well as digital and precision tools.tal and precision tools as well as biopesti- just mentioning here Germany as a very cides. There are digital platforms for cropprominent example, where one third of ES: PESTICIDE REDUCTIONoptimization, allowing farmers to use plantthe agricultural area would be taken out TARGETS IS A BIG TOPIC IN THEmodels and agronomic algorithms. Theseof production. DEBATE. IS THE COMMISSIONcombine and continuously analyse multipleMany sites for seed breeding activi-APPROACH REALISTIC? data inputs, including historical agronomicties are located in areas that are covered AK:The Commission has proposed legallyinformation, in-season risks, weather databy the current definition. A general ban binding targets at EU level to reduce byand satellite-based biomass images. Theseon using plant protection products in 50 per cent the use and the risk of chem- data are then able to provide clear agro- these areas would put plant breeding in ical pesticides as well as the use of thenomic recommendations for managingEurope at risk. more hazardous pesticides by 2030.individual fields and field-zones. Farmers Member States will be obliged to setcan use such digital tools to create VariableES: IS THERE ANYTHING THAT YOU national reduction targets within definedRate Application (VRA) maps for fungicideARE MISSING IN THE PROPOSAL?parameters to ensure that the EU widetreatment. They identify high and lowAK:Yes, we see a strong need for com-targets are achieved. performing areas, so fungicides are onlyplementary indicators at both EU and MS I strongly believe that any pesticideapplied in the right dosage and only whennational levels. This would allow us to see reduction targets at EU and memberand where needed. This means greaterthe complete picture and would help to state levels need to be proportionate andinput efficiency and reduced environmen- better illustrate the progress made in realistic to the objective of reducing thetal impacts. In addition, there are alsothe risk and use of pesticides over the risk and use of pesticides. It is key to giveadvanced smart spraying technologies.past years. For example, one could think Member States the flexibility in settingThese technologies combine high-techof indicators that consider agronomic achievable targets, taking into consid- cameras and software and have systemsconditions, agricultural productivity, EU eration the consequences for food secu- that are - capable of recognizing weeds andautonomy and land-use efficiency as well rity, farmers competitiveness, consumerselectively applying herbicides only where,as consumer, operator, and environmen-prices and increasing imports. It is impor- and if they are needed.tal safety. These, in turn, would support tant to note that European Commissionsa more well-informed and productive Harmonized Risk Indicator already showsES: AND IN THE SEED SECTOR? discussion about the transformation of a significant decrease in pesticide use andAK:Any innovation that can contributeagriculture.risk over the last years. to achieving the targets or offer alter-native solutions for farmers should beES: FINAL THOUGHTS?ES: WHAT IS THE ROLE OFconsidered. Plant breeding innovationAK:Its good to see that IPM will con-INNOVATION? contributes to achieving sustainabletinue to be the cornerstone of the revised AK:Promotion of innovation will be theintensification of agriculture and helpspolicy. And yes, sometimes political tar-key driver for achieving the objectives ofadapt varieties to changing climatic con- gets are helpful to kick off and trigger a the SUR and guide the transition towardsditions as well as evolving pests and dis- desired transformation. But we still need a more sustainable food production modeleases. Innovation in plant breeding, suchto be realistic and give Member States the in Europe. Quicker access for farmers toas the use of New Genomic Techniquesflexibility in setting their targets, taking innovative and new technologies such as(NGTs), should be rapidly enabled tointo account the impacts on food secu-precision and digital tools as well as bio- ensure harvests while optimising the userity, farmers competitiveness, consumer pesticides will be needed to achieve theof plant protection products and fertiliz- prices as well as increased imports from targets, including reducing the risk anders. The EU Commission has recognizedthird countries.use of pesticides. the potential of plant breeding innovationAnd lets ensure that EU policies Digital and precision technologiesto contribute to sustainable agri-food sys- support and encourage innovation can significantly reduce the amounts oftems as set by the Green Deal and Farmwhich can help to actually achieve the inputs, unfortunately we do not see ato Fork Strategy. Removing the road- F2F targets.regulatory environment that is effectivelyblocks to unlock the potential of these promoting the uptake of these technol- tools should be undertaken in a timelyEditors Note: Besides Chair of the ogies. Growing more with less are notmanner. Croplife Europe committee on SUD, mutually exclusive concepts. As a matterIn addition, seed treatment limits theAnja Klatt is also Senior Manager of fact, optimizing the use of resourcespotential exposure of non-target organ- Public&GovernmentAffairs, is essential for modern agricultural pro- isms to plant protection products (PPP)Agricultural Solutions at BASF.duction. Precision, digital and smartin the soil and the air. It also involves less EUROPEAN-SEED.COMIEUROPEAN SEED I 23'