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Report from the Sub-committee on Legislation 4. DefinitionsThe expressions pesticides, plant protection products and active ingredients appear in many places in the following. They and a few other terms are therefore explained below. Pesticides (which are also called control products) is an inclusive term for plant protection products and biocides. Plant protection products (or spray products) are the products used in the agricultural industries (farming, forestry, market gardening and fruit production) for prevention and control of weeds, pests and fungal diseases and for regulating plant growth (including straw shortening). Plant protection products may also be used on uncultivated land. Biocides include wood protection products, rat poisons and slimicides for use in paper pulp production etc. A pesticide consists of one or more active ingredients and some coformulants. The active ingredient is the substance that is specifically aimed at pests etc. The coformulants are substances that are added to enhance the intended effect. According to its mandate, the Bichel Committee has the task of assessing the consequences of phasing out the use of pesticides in the agricultural industries, which in practice means the use of plant protection products in farming, forestry, market gardening and fruit production. This report therefore does not cover biocides or the use of plant protection products outside the agricultural industries. For that reason, the term plant protection products is generally used in this report. |