Pesticides

A plant protection product (pesticide) is any preparation that is suitable for inhibiting the biotic damage of crops and / or ornamentals by keeping the harmful organism (e.g. animal pest, weed, pathogen) away, retarding its growth or rendering it infertile.

According to professional consensus, efficient agricultural management necessary for the self-sufficiency of the country is currently unthinkable without adequate plant protection tools. Pesticides are currently the most widely used means of controlling various pests (insects, fungi, bacteria etc.).
The authorization and marketing of plant protection products is regulated by European Union Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009.

Types of pesticides:

• preparations against animal pests (e.g. insecticides, mites or snails, rodenticides),
• preparations against pathogens (e.g. fungicides and bactericides),
• herbicides.

According to EU regulation, substances containing plant growth regulators and plant hormones are also considered to be plant protection products.

Plant protection products are preparations containing one or more active substances. These active substances may be substances of natural origin or produced by chemical, biological or biotechnological means, as well as living organisms. Their most important property is that they are suitable for controlling the presence of pests on plants, plant parts, and they influence the lifecycle of plants in a controlled way.

Biocides

The group of pesticides that are not used in agriculture or for the protection of plants are called biocides. These products are being used in order to protect humans, animals, substances and articles against harmful microorganisms (e.g. parasites or bacteria) provided by the active substance in the biocidal product.

While the use of plant protection products is declining in Europe, the use of biocides is increasing significantly. In the EU, Directive 98/8 / EC currently provides for the European authorization of biocidal products. Regulation (EU) No 528/2012 concerning the placing on the market and use of biocidal products, which replaces Directive 98/8 / EC and aims a higher level of protection for human and animal health and the environment, shall apply from 1 September 2013.

According to the EU Regulation a biocidal product is: any substance or mixture in the form supplied to the user, consisting of, containing or generating one or more active substances with the intention of destroying, deterring, rendering harmless, preventing the action of or otherwise exerting a controlling effect on any harmful organism by any means other than mere physical or mechanical action. The Regulation states that (subject to certain exceptions) only a substance included in the Community list of active substances or low-risk biocidal products registered in the European Union may be placed on the market as an active substance.