Mass use of plant protection products has a great impact on the environment. High and uncontrolled use of pesticides can cause detrimental effects on soil fertility and quality in the long run.
In addition, the industrialization of agricultural production and the increasing use of pesticides, often accompanied by various food safety controversies, result in consumer dissatisfaction and a lack of trust in food safety institutions and control mechanisms.
The main problem in the use of pesticides is the use of inappropriate techniques, i.e. sprayers, which is why great importance is given to the correctness of the device, which implies a quality distribution of the applied agent on the surface.
With this in mind, the European Commission in 2009 published European Directive 2009/128 on the sustainable use of pesticides, which aimed to fill the regulatory gap in the use of field equipment for the distribution of plant protection products, which is known to be affected by serious shortcomings inefficiency. Directive 2009/128 / EC and the Law on Sustainable Use of Pesticides provide for several measures to achieve sustainable use of pesticides in the EU.
Why is this important for Montenegrin farmers?
These measures also apply to Montenegro because, as a potential future member of the EU, our country is obliged to take all necessary measures to introduce mandatory control of the correctness of machinery used for the application of plant protection products, as well as to ensure its implementation in practices, and to coordinate the process and monitor the control process.
During the previous year, through the Monitoring Program for Pesticide Use Devices by the Phytosanitary Measures Program for 2020, the General Guidelines for Monitoring Atomizers (Pesticide Use Devices) were developed.
These activities are one of the first steps towards achieving the main goal, which includes the established system of regular control of all existing machinery, issuing a certificate with a label on the correctness of devices that are in professional use for the application of plant protection products in Montenegro.
BioLab Tehnopolis – the only laboratory in Montenegro that has equipment for testing the correctness of machinery
Biotechnology Laboratory, BioLab Tehnopolis, is the only one in Montenegro that has equipment for testing the technical correctness of atomizers and tractor sprayers. The equipment is provided through the IPA 2016 component, to improve the capacity of the Laboratory, with the main goal of improving the quality and safety of agricultural products, while protecting the environment, by checking the correctness of machinery used for plant protection products, and thus streamlining use of pesticide.
As this type of inspection has not been conducted in Montenegro so far, BioLab has received authorization from the Directorate for Food Safety, Veterinary, and Phytosanitary Affairs to test the correctness of 20 devices through a Program of Phytosanitary Measures for 2021 as a pilot project.
The test includes a field visit and inspection of the devices at registered agricultural producers, a list of devices for the use of plant protection products including parts required for the operation of the device (sprayer, manometer, filters, sieves, tank cleaning equipment), and checking their operation.
As IEC Tehnopolis does not currently have adequate space to conduct device health testing, activities are carried out with a piece of equipment that is mobile and testing is performed on-site.
In addition to the employees of BioLab, a doctoral student of the Biotechnical Faculty, Balsa Bajagic, MA, was hired to perform the professional part of the examination.
The decision on which agricultural producers will be covered by the survey was made based on several factors, by the regulations of the Monitoring Program:
- agricultural area,
- market representation,
- traffic volume,
- as well as a ranking system by the potential level of risk.
Thus, in addition to agricultural producers, the companies Voli Nasa basta and Plantaze July 13, as well as the devices of the Biotechnical Faculty in Podgorica were included in the survey.
Upon completion of the test, a report is created based on which manufacturers can see the actual condition of the equipment, and what needs to be changed to be ready for use.
So far, the correctness testing for 17 devices has been completed, while in the following period, testing for three more will follow, by the scope of installation of devices for the use of pesticides for 2021.
For information on testing machinery, you can contact us by email: [email protected].
