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Abstract

This Quick Scoping Review (QSR), reviewed the existing evidence relating to 'the impact of pesticides used in amenity on controlled waters in the UK'. The report describes the volume, nature and characteristics of key findings, identifies knowledge gaps and implications for policy and research.

Description

The Water Framework Directive (WFD) (2000/60/EC) was introduced to protect and restore the chemical and ecological status of water bodies throughout Europe. Urban diffuse pollution has been identified as a key threat to water quality and therefore WFD objectives. The UK Government has committed to identifying and addressing the most significant sources of urban pollution and in November 2012 launched a consultation 'Tackling water pollution from the urban environment' to consult on a strategy to address diffuse water pollution from the built environment.

A number of respondents suggested that pesticides used in urban environments 'amenity pesticides' should be of higher priority than stated in the consultation document. Additionally it was felt that because 'amenity pesticide' use is mainly controlled by local authorities their use can be relatively easily managed.

The objectives of this QSR were:

Primary Question: Review existing evidence on the impact of amenity pesticides on controlled waters.

Secondary Question: Assess the relative importance of the impact from amenity pesticides on controlled waters within the context of other pressures driving failure to meet WFD objectives.

Secondary Question: Estimate the cost and effectiveness of mitigation measures tackling the imapct of amenity pesticides on the water environment.

Funded by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) under Defra work order WT1546.

The full report is available on the website.

This project forms part of the work carried out by the  based at Î÷¹ÏÊÓƵ.