Pesticides monitoring changes over time

Once the collection of a regular set of usage statistics has been established, changes over time in use on particular crops (Figure 2.2), or of particular pesticides (Figure 2.3), can be monitored. These may result from several factors, some or all of which may interact to give annual variations in use ... 

With the development of sustainable development indicators also moving into the role of pesticides and their impact on the environment, clearly, sound statistical information was required, particularly if the role of policy changes on pesticide use was to be assessed over time. Furthermore, an important target of the European Union s (EU) 5th Environmental Action Programme was the reduction of pesticide risk, but this would be impossible to monitor without sound information on changes in use over time. 

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