Accelerating Transition towards Sustainable Plant Protection

Introducing the SPRINT Project

News
Date: 15 September 2020

The use of pesticides represents a risk to human and environmental health, with recent research findings suggesting an association of exposure with increased risk of health problems, including Parkinson's disease, reproductive and developmental issues and cancer, whilst affecting the health of soil, water, and biodiversity.

The newly launched SPRINT project (Sustainable Plant Protection Transition: A Global Health Approach), consists of a consortium of research institutes from 11 European countries alongside colleagues in Argentina and the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). SPRINT will develop a Global Health Risk Assessment Toolbox to evaluate the impact of pesticides on human health and the adverse effects on plants, animals and ecosystems.

SPRINT will pool the knowledge and data from across Europe to find ways to improve the sustainable use of pesticides. Working with farmers and policymakers, researchers will find ways to support a transition to more sustainable plant protection.

Professor Violette Geissen of Wageningen University, who leads the SPRINT consortium said:

"I am excited to be starting this project, which will answer many questions of vital importance to European citizens. We have brought together scientists who have long-standing expertise to share on this topic. I am confident that we can support regulators and policymakers to make well-informed decisions to introduce more sustainable solutions to agricultural practices.

It is not an easy time to start a new project, but current issues with the use of pesticides means we cannot delay. Together we are looking forward to making a meaningful contribution to the EU's Farm to Fork and Biodiversity strategies."(2)

Notes:

Press contacts: Jane Mills +44 1242714037 or Matt Reed +44 7813201807

(1) As part of the Horizon 2020 programme

(2) The European Commission launched the Farm to Fork and Biodiversity Strategies on 20 May 2020.

The Farm to Fork Strategy sets a target to reduce the use of pesticides by 50% and more hazardous pesticides by 50% by 2030. The strategy sets, for the first time, targets to reduce the use of pesticides at the EU level. No pesticides are to be allowed in sensitive areas such as EU urban green areas, helping to reverse the decline of pollinators. Further by 2030, at least 25% of agricultural land in the EU will be under organic farming management.

Contact

Jane Mills +44 1242714037 or Matt Reed +44 7813201807

Promoting Good Agricultural Practices in Vineyards, St Emilion, France

Year 2024

Publication:Fact Sheet

The city of Rennes in France faces the challenge of securing the quality of its drinking water, as intensive agricultural practices have led to significant pollution of water resources. As part of the "Terres de Sources" initiative, which was studied within the SPRINT project, sustainable solutions have been developed to improve drinking water quality through environmentally friendly agricultural practices while also promoting local food production and marketing. This case study illustrates how the initiative successfully implements measures to reduce pesticide use and promote sustainable value chains.

Food Value Chains for Leveraging Clean Drinking Water in Rennes, France

Year 2024

Publication:Fact Sheet

In Slovenia, the Fruit Centre Maribor is dedicated to promoting sustainable fruit production practices while reducing reliance on synthetic pesticides. The SPRINT project studies the Centre's work to understand how the use of more resistant fruit varieties, self-developed plant-based pesticides, and improved soil quality can contribute to more sustainable cultivation. This case study explores the challenges and solutions the Centre has encountered in implementing sustainable methods in fruit production.

Sustainable Fruit Production in Slovenia

Year 2024

Publication:Fact Sheet

Fact sheet ey objectives, main obstacles, main approaches, and knowledge exchange solutions involved in the process. It also includes a spotlight on Fusarium, a serious fungal disease affecting cereal crops. The infographic features images of Slovenia, dairy farming elements, and icons representing agronomic change, financial barriers, and technical, economic, and advisory solutions.

A family farm in Brežice, Slovenia, took the leap into organic agriculture to overcome high input costs, low economic viability, and limited control over their business. The SPRINT project is studying this farm to understand how the transition to organic farming – by eliminating synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, introducing crop rotations, and experimenting with new feeding strategies – can lead to a more sustainable and profitable operation. This case study highlights the challenges and successes of the farm in adopting an organic approach.

Organic Dairy Farming in Slovenia

Year 2024

Event:Digital Event

On 14 February 2023, the SPRINT project team shared some initial project findings with key stakeholder in Europe for the first time.

Pesticide Residues in Agricultural Ecosystems, Animals and Humans Across Europe

SPRINT first phase results

14 February 2023
online

Publication:Article

Newly published research from SPRINT explores the extent to which public consultations likely contribute to democratic decision-making surrounding agricultural pesticide use. Through a critical discourse analysis of submissions to the public consultation concerning the European Union’s Farm to Fork Strategy, the authors, among them Ecologic Institute's Dr. Ana Frelih-Larsen, examine the role of public consultations as a democratic process and the extent to which their non-deliberative nature advances solutions to contentious and complex challenges.

The Role of Public Consultations in Decision-making on Future Agricultural Pesticide Use

Insights from European Union's Farm to Fork Strategy public consultation

Year 2023

Event:Digital Event

Stakeholder Event Opening Slide with Logos, Date and Time

The aim of the SPRINT project (Sustainable Plant Protection Transition: A Global Health Approach) is to support the transition towards more sustainable plant protection. This relies on close interaction with stakeholders along the whole supply chain, civil society and regulatory bodies. The SPRINT Stakeholder Introductory event, co-organized by Ecologic Institute, took place on Tuesday 22nd June, 2021. With 117 participants and a lively discussion in breakout groups, the meeting was a great way to kick-off our exchanges with stakeholders.

Successful SPRINT Stakeholder Introductory Event

22 June 2021
Online

Project:Horizon 2020

Currently, farming systems in Europe rely strongly on the use of Plant Protection Products (PPPs). Yet, the use of PPPs pose risks to both human and environmental health with pesticide exposure being associated with health problems, including reproductive issues and cancer as well as environmental degradation. In the SPRINT project, research institutes from 11 European countries and Argentina as well as the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) work together, alongside with farmers and policy makers, to accelerate the transition to sustainable plant protection.

Sustainable Plant Protection Transition: A global health approach (SPRINT)

Sep 2020 - Aug 2025

Duration: 15 September 2020
Project: Sustainable Plant Protection Transition: A global health approach (SPRINT)
Project ID: 33002
Keywords: Agriculture

Health

SPRINT project website

Further Links

PublicationDocumentThe EU Farm to Fork Strategy: What needs to come next?

On 20 May 2020, the European Commission launched its long-awaited Farm to Fork Strategy. The strategy is a first attempt to define long-term objectives for a healthy, just and sustainable EU food system that addresses both food production and consumption. The strategy... Read more

Wunder, Stephanie, Ana Frelih-Larsen and Irina Herb 2020: The EU Farm to Fork Strategy: What needs to come next? A first assessment of important steps for an ambitious implementation of the EU Farm to Fork Strategy. Berlin: Ecologic Institute.

PublicationDocumentContribution to the 2020 Roadmap Consultation on the Farm to Fork Strategy

In a position paper on the EU "Farm to Fork" Strategy the Ecologic Institute, the Institute for European Environmental Policy (IEEP), the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) and the Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations (IDDRI) submitted a... Read more

Think Sustainable Europe (ed.) 2020: Contribution to the 2020 Roadmap Consultation on the Farm to Fork Strategy. Submitted to the European Commission on 16 March 2020 by the Institute for European Environmental Policy (IEEP), Ecologic Institute, the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) and the Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations (IDDRI).