Field level pesticide application datasets

This package contains the results of two pilot surveys collecting field level data on the application of plant protection products. The first survey was completed in 2012 with the aim of collecting information on cumulative exposure to plant protection products for operators and workers. In this pilot six countries participated, covering arable crops, soft fruits, green house cultivation, orchards and vineyards. The dataset contains results from 428 farms, 581 operators, 481 workers resulting 17,058 rows of application events. The second survey was completed in 2015 with the aim of collecting information for use in environmental risk assessments.  Applications of plant protection products over multiple years for selected fields was recorded. In this pilot eight countries participated, covering wheat, potatoes, oilseed rape, maize, sugar beet, apples, citrus, grapes and vegetables. The dataset contains results from 419 farms, 580 environmental fields, 414 operators resulting 28,903 rows of application events. In both cases this survey was considered to be a pilot since the number of farms surveyed was insufficient to be representative for any of the participating countries.

The data was collected using  standardised questionnaires. Farmers, operators and workers were asked to provide information. The questionnaire was made up of eight topic specific forms. 

Form 1 – cropping types and area grown in the year of the survey

Form 2 – farm business details including, size, location, number of spray operators. Information on the use of agronomists, buffer strips and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) was added in the second survey

Form 3 – pesticide application details for the principal spray operator on the farm, including date, crop stage, product, method of application, application rate, area treated, start time and duration of application.

Form 3b (second survey only) –off- and in-field margin information

Form 4 – information on the principal operator, age, gender, percentage spraying undertaken, qualifications, time and PPE worn for different on farm activities

Form 5 –details of the sprayers on the farm including make, model, age, tank capacities, filling systems, cab type, age and nozzle sets

Form 6 –  worker activities, including date, crop stage, time since last pesticide application, activity types and number of hours

Form 6b (second survey only) – working hours for operators and workerss