Flemish Ecological Network (FEN)
Within the FEN a prohibition of the use of pesticides applies. However, a number of derogations are allowed. Plant protection products may be applied on utilised agricultural areas, on the condition that the Flemish Parliament Decree on Manure provides an exemption from the prohibition of manure application, as well as in gardens of private individuals. Authorities are also still allowed to use plant protection products if this is provided for in their plans for reducing pesticide use by public services in the Flemish Region. As long as no products or methods are available that are more ecologically justified and are equally efficient, pesticides can still be used to control American bird-cherry, Japanese knotweed and other invasive exotic species until 31 December 2014.
Flemish Parliament Decree on Forests
The use of pesticides is prohibited in forest reserves. It is only allowed for a methodical and combined mechanical-chemical control.
In the proximity of watercourses, additional restrictions apply for pesticides: they must not be applied, for instance, to the banks of the watercourses themselves (Decision on Banks and Verges, Art. 2). Flemish Parliament Decree and Government Decision on Pesticide Reduction
In the Flemish Parliament Decree and Government Decision on Pesticide Reduction, the protection of nature and vulnerable groups is also considered in the reduction of pesticide use. In order to protect nature, a prohibition has been included of the application of pesticides to the edges of roadways, verges/banks and other terrains that are part of the road or belong to it, such as motorways, waterways and railways. In addition, a prohibition is also in place in nature and forest areas or vulnerable areas, such as valleys and source areas. In order to protect vulnerable groups, a prohibition is also in effect in public parks and gardens.
In case of acute and reasonably unforeseeable pests that endanger human health or the environment or in case of situations that pose or may pose a serious threat to human safety and for which no effective alternative control measures are available either, this prohibition may temporarily be derogated from, provided the competent administration is notified of this in advance.
Amendments to the legislative framework
Draft Decree on the Sustainable Use of Pesticides for Non-agricultural and Non-horticultural Activities (procedure still running)
As a result of the Directive, a new Flemish Parliament Decree and Government Decision on the Sustainable Use of Pesticides are drawn up. The Decision specifies the prohibition of pesticides or the restrictions on the use of pesticides for the management of grounds for non-agricultural and non- horticultural activities. For public authorities, the existing Flemish Parliament Decree on Pesticide Reduction of 21 December 2001 and the implementing order of 19 December 2008 continue to be valid until 1 January 2015. For the new target group, the Decision will be effective immediately: for them the minimum use (with the exception of verges/banks for which a prohibition is in place) applies until 1 January 2015. As of 2015, additional prohibition provisions will be in force.
The prohibition of the use of pesticides is taken from the Decision on Verges and Banks and included in the Decision on the Sustainable Use of Pesticides for Non-agricultural and Non-horticultural Activities.
The different types of areas that are accessible to the general public and vulnerable groups are subdivided into 4 sub-area types. This subdivision took place on the basis of the vulnerability of the target group and the number of times the areas are entered. The definition of 'vulnerable group' is as follows: "people who require specific attention where it concerns the evaluation of acute and chronic effects of pesticides for human health". The types of areas used by the general public and vulnerable groups are subdivided in accordance with the vulnerability of the target group.
Page 17 of 26 A prohibition is in place for areas near childcare facilities, schools and institutions for nursery, primary and secondary education, part-time education in the arts and pupil guidance centres. A minimum use is allowed for all other sub-areas that are not situated in protection zones for the abstraction of drinking water. As indicated earlier, a prohibition of the use of pesticides will be in force for all public services from 1 January 2015 onwards.
Focus of this plan
The first action plan will concentrate on raising the awareness of the target groups in a targeted manner, whilst focussing on the administrators of the areas visited by vulnerable groups.
Joint initiatives
Feasibility study in consultation with the Regions to examine practical solutions so that account is taken of the protection of people living in the neighbourhood of areas where plant protection products (hereafter abbreviated as ppp) are sprayed. In this study several possibilities for action will have to be considered which will require the advice from all the parties involved, as well as an evaluation of the socio-economic impact.
Actions
Ref. Objective Indicator Measure Term Budget
VL
6.1 Protecting nature areas Publication of legal basis Making the 1m buffer zone for horizontal crops and the 3m buffer zone for vertical crops adjacent to nature areas mandatory
2016 Current operational cost VL
6.2 Protecting vulnerable groups Publication of legal basis Making the 1m buffer zone for horizontal crops and the 3m buffer zone for vertical crops adjacent to gardens and houses mandatory 2016 Current operational cost VL 6.3. a Protecting vulnerable
groups Publication of legal basis Prohibition of the use of pesticides on grounds of public services and childcare facilities, nursery schools, primary schools and secondary schools* from 1 January 2015 onwards. Minimum use of pesticides on other grounds that are
accessible to the general public.
2013 Current operational cost
VL
6.4 Protecting vulnerable groups Number of reached organisations
Targeted awareness- raising among
administrators of school grounds and childcare facilities through sectoral organisations
Whole
period Current operational cost
Page 18 of 26
Ref. Objective Indicator Measure Term Budget
Bel.
9.12 Buffer zone for the use of ppp in the proximity
of houses
Publication of the legal provision
Adjustment of the Royal Decision on the Sustainable Use of PPPs. From