The Flemish government on Friday approved a plan compiling all actions it intends to implement on pesticide use, in line with a European directive.
The pesticide action plan transforms several ambitions from the governance agreement into concrete measures. Waterways will be better protected, with larger cultivation-free buffer zones, ranging from 3 to 5 metres.
Around care homes, institutions, nurseries, primary schools and daycare centres, a buffer zone five metres wide with green screens will be established. If green screens are not feasible, the buffer zone will be extended to 10 metres. Farmers will receive compensation for these changes.
Agreements were also made regarding the use of crop protection near nature reserves. Where zero fertilisation is currently enforced, pesticides will also be banned.
“In the vast majority of cases, this concerns grassland that our farmers can manage profitably without pesticides,” said Agriculture Minister Jo Brouns.
As part of the Open Space Pact, nature and agricultural organisations will be asked to discuss areas designated for highly productive agriculture, mixed-use zones, and places where nature should prevail.
The Boerenbond (Farmers’ Union) says it hopes adequate compensation will be provided for farmers. “We expect that the extra efforts required from our farmers will be met with government compensation,” the organisation said in a statement.
“In recent years, agriculture has taken significant steps to reduce pesticide use. Furthermore, pesticides are only used when necessary and in a responsible way,” the Boerenbond stressed. “These crop protection products have passed the strictest European and Belgian approval procedures.”
