Collective Scientific Assessment Pesti-Ecotox (2020-2022)

In 2020, as part of the French NAtional Ecophyto II+ program, the ministries responsible for Ecological Transition, Agriculture, and Research entrusted INRAE and Ifremer with leading a collective scientific expertise on the impacts of plant protection products on biodiversity and ecosystem services, from their application areas to the marine environment, both in mainland France and overseas territories.

The findings of this expertise, presented during a public symposium on May 5th, confirm that all terrestrial, aquatic, and marine environments—particularly coastal areas—are contaminated by plant protection products. Both direct and indirect impacts of these substances on ecosystems and populations of terrestrial, aquatic, and marine organisms are also evident. However, contamination levels have tended to decrease for substances banned several years ago.

These studies also highlight the need for further research to better quantify the impact of these products on the environment. They also emphasize the presence of various levers—related to regulation, product usage practices, and the structure of agricultural landscapes—that can effectively limit this contamination and its impacts, while still ensuring crop protection. However, systems of agricultural production that do not rely on plant protection products remain limited.