The aim of the Dutch Environmental Risk Indicator for Plant Protection Products (NMI) and the Environmental Indicator Crop Protection (EICP)

Both the NMI and the EICP calculate environmental risk indicator values for the agricultural use of plant protection products. The aim of the NMI is to calculate emission indicators and risk indicators resulting from the national average use of plant protection products, in order to evaluate the sustainable crop protection policies of the Dutch Government. Calculations may include a large number of applications and products. The NMI indicators are based on a suit of simple models which are derived from tools and guidance developed for use in Dutch and EU registration. The NMI is not suitable for predictions at the farm level; e.g. to support farmers decision taking on plant protection products.

At the moment, the EICP is developed in a public-private research proposal. The aim of the EICP is to assess at farm level the impact of spraying schemes used in a certain crop during the production cycle and to stimulate the sustainable use of plant protection products. Supply chain partners can use the EICP for their sourcing policies. Calculations consider a local environmental situation, anywhere in the Netherlands or another country, and the package of plant protection products used for the production of a specific crop. Precise usage information is provided by the user. The principles for the proposed EICP methodology (Milieu-indicator Gewasbescherming - WUR) are largely in line with those of NMI. The EICP has a simple spatial schematisation which is not suitable for calculating environmental risk indicators at the national scale.