Pesticides are only authorised in the EU after extensive testing of their environmental sustainability. UBA is the responsible body in Germany for environmental risk assessment. If it determines there are indefensible risks for the ecosystem, European law stipulates that these plant protection agents are not eligible for authorisation. Risk assessment for amphibians has not yet been part of the assessment scheme established at European level. As they migrate from one habitat to another, amphibians may traverse agricultural landscapes. Some species also inhabit fields and pastures outside of migration periods and may come into contact with plant protection agents while or after they are applied. UBA therefore commissioned a review of whether the assessments associated with the authorisation of plant protect agents take adequate account of amphibians’ need for protection. The recently published research results point out the risk potential for amphibians exposed to plant protection agents.
Tests simulated the application of seven different products on the common frog (Rana temporaria) in an agricultural overspray scenario. Six of the tested products resulted in a mortality rate of 40-100 per cent. Three of the products were acutely toxic immediately upon contact at only one-tenth of the recommended label rate - 40 per cent of the animals died within seven days. The study did not, however, expose the underlying mechanisms of the toxicity of pesticides for frogs. The degree of impact seems to also depend on the solvents that have been added to pesticide products. The solvents are either toxic in and of themselves or enhance the absorption of active ingredients by the organism.
Risk assessment for wild animals has made great progress in the past thanks to research efforts and is now better adapted to actual circumstances in the landscape - with the exception of amphibians. The results of the study, which was done as part of a research project on the effects of pesticides on biological diversity, show how important it is to further reduce the use of plant protection agents and to create enough refuge areas for wildlife.
Jochen Flasbarth said, "Based on these results the UBA recommends revision of the EU guidelines on the risk assessment of pesticides. In addition to amendment of the authorisation procedure, habitats must be more closely interlinked and protective belts of water in agricultural landscapes must be laid out." The expansion of organic farming would also have a favourable effect as it shuns the use of chemical pesticides. These are also the goals of the reform of the common agricultural policy pursued by the EU Agriculture Commissioner. Ambitious implementation of the recommendations issued in Brussels would help to maintain amphibians.
Further information:
The study entitled Terrestrial pesticide exposure of amphibians: An underestimated cause of global decline? is the result of a research consortium headed by Dr. Carsten Brühl of the Institute for Environmental Sciences at the University Koblenz-Landau.
