Shaping the Future of Sustainable Plant Protection

Shaping the Future of Sustainable Plant Protection

Final Conference

Event: Conference
Date: 25 June 2025
Location: online and Brussels, Belgium

The SPRINT Horizon 2020 project's final conference, "Shaping the Future of Sustainable Plant Protection," took place on 25 June 2025 in Brussels and online. This free, one-day event presented research on the health and environmental impacts of pesticides, introduced the new SPRINT Toolbox for risk assessment, and explored policy tools to support a transition to reduced reliance on pesticides.

New scientific evidence – robust, comprehensive and practice-oriented

SPRINT has generated a new scientific basis for more realistic risk assessments of pesticides. At the conference, you heard findings from the largest European study of its kind, including data on pesticide mixtures found in environmental and biological matrices, ecotoxicological and toxicity results from new methods and indicators not currently required by regulation, and insights into real-life exposure scenarios. The aim: to advance risk assessment approaches that better reflect real-world conditions and provide stronger protection for human and environmental health.

Tools and policy insights – from research to real-world application

The conference introduced the new SPRINT Toolbox, a free resource designed to support regulators and scientists in assessing pesticide risks. It includes, among other outputs, pesticide risk maps. Beyond technical tools, the event also presented policy-relevant findings, such as success stories and enabling instruments for the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). Attendees gained practical insights into how transitions to more sustainable systems of plant protection can be supported by evidence-based policymaking.

On site in Brussels or online – everything you need to know

The conference took place on 25 June 2025 at La Tricoterie in Brussels (158, rue Théodore Verhaegen, 1060 Saint-Gilles), with an option to join remotely. Participation was free of charge, but registration was required. In-person attendees could benefit from additional opportunities to engage with experts, attend the poster session, and network with participants from EU institutions, national authorities, academia, NGOs, farming and industry. Lunch and refreshments were provided.

Contact

Dr. Lindsey Hendricks-Franco

Fellow

Using the CAP to Reduce Pesticide Dependence

Creating the Conditions for Structural Change

Year 2026

Publication:Policy Brief

The policy brief highlights the need for a fundamental shift in how pesticides are used in European agriculture. Rather than further optimising chemical inputs, agricultural systems need to be reoriented more broadly. To support this transition, the brief outlines concrete policy measures at EU level, including binding pesticide reduction targets, stronger support for agroecological approaches, the development of independent advisory services, fairer value chains, and increased transparency in pesticide use.

Transitioning Away from Pesticide Dependency

EU policy recommendations

Year 2026

Publication:Fact Sheet

Fact sheet detailing the promotion of good agricultural practices in vineyards at St. Emilion, France. It highlights the challenges of pesticide use in vineyards, key objectives such as implementing a holistic environmental program, and the regulatory solutions including compulsory certification.

The vineyards of St. Emilion, France, face significant challenges due to the reliance on pesticides, particularly given the region's susceptibility to mildew. However, the winegrowers of St. Emilion have successfully committed to a sustainable future by implementing stringent environmental regulations and significantly reducing pesticide use. This case study highlights the initiatives and successes achieved in the region, which aims to promote sustainable practices in viticulture.

Promoting Good Agricultural Practices in Vineyards, St Emilion, France

Year 2024

Publication:Fact Sheet

The city of Rennes in France faces the challenge of securing the quality of its drinking water, as intensive agricultural practices have led to significant pollution of water resources. As part of the "Terres de Sources" initiative, which was studied within the SPRINT project, sustainable solutions have been developed to improve drinking water quality through environmentally friendly agricultural practices while also promoting local food production and marketing. This case study illustrates how the initiative successfully implements measures to reduce pesticide use and promote sustainable value chains.

Food Value Chains for Leveraging Clean Drinking Water in Rennes, France

Year 2024

Publication:Fact Sheet

In Slovenia, the Fruit Centre Maribor is dedicated to promoting sustainable fruit production practices while reducing reliance on synthetic pesticides. The SPRINT project studies the Centre's work to understand how the use of more resistant fruit varieties, self-developed plant-based pesticides, and improved soil quality can contribute to more sustainable cultivation. This case study explores the challenges and solutions the Centre has encountered in implementing sustainable methods in fruit production.

Sustainable Fruit Production in Slovenia

Year 2024

Publication:Fact Sheet

Fact sheet ey objectives, main obstacles, main approaches, and knowledge exchange solutions involved in the process. It also includes a spotlight on Fusarium, a serious fungal disease affecting cereal crops. The infographic features images of Slovenia, dairy farming elements, and icons representing agronomic change, financial barriers, and technical, economic, and advisory solutions.

A family farm in Brežice, Slovenia, took the leap into organic agriculture to overcome high input costs, low economic viability, and limited control over their business. The SPRINT project is studying this farm to understand how the transition to organic farming – by eliminating synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, introducing crop rotations, and experimenting with new feeding strategies – can lead to a more sustainable and profitable operation. This case study highlights the challenges and successes of the farm in adopting an organic approach.

Organic Dairy Farming in Slovenia

Year 2024

Event:Digital Event

On 14 February 2023, the SPRINT project team shared some initial project findings with key stakeholder in Europe for the first time.

Pesticide Residues in Agricultural Ecosystems, Animals and Humans Across Europe

SPRINT first phase results

14 February 2023
online

Publication:Article

Newly published research from SPRINT explores the extent to which public consultations likely contribute to democratic decision-making surrounding agricultural pesticide use. Through a critical discourse analysis of submissions to the public consultation concerning the European Union’s Farm to Fork Strategy, the authors, among them Ecologic Institute's Dr. Ana Frelih-Larsen, examine the role of public consultations as a democratic process and the extent to which their non-deliberative nature advances solutions to contentious and complex challenges.

The Role of Public Consultations in Decision-making on Future Agricultural Pesticide Use

Insights from European Union's Farm to Fork Strategy public consultation

Year 2023

Event:Digital Event

Stakeholder Event Opening Slide with Logos, Date and Time

The aim of the SPRINT project (Sustainable Plant Protection Transition: A Global Health Approach) is to support the transition towards more sustainable plant protection. This relies on close interaction with stakeholders along the whole supply chain, civil society and regulatory bodies. The SPRINT Stakeholder Introductory event, co-organized by Ecologic Institute, took place on Tuesday 22nd June, 2021. With 117 participants and a lively discussion in breakout groups, the meeting was a great way to kick-off our exchanges with stakeholders.

Successful SPRINT Stakeholder Introductory Event

22 June 2021
Online

Funding: European Commission, Directorate-General Research & Innovation (DG Research & Innovation), International
Organizer: Wageningen University (Wageningen UR), Netherlands
Partner: Ecologic Institute, Germany
Team: Dr. Lindsey Hendricks-Franco
Date: 25 June 2025
Location: online and Brussels, Belgium
Language: English
Project: Sustainable Plant Protection Transition: A global health approach (SPRINT)
Project ID: 33002
Keywords: Agriculture

sustainable plant protection, pesticide risk assessment, pesticide impacts, environmental health, human health, Horizon 2020, SPRINT project, pesticide mixtures, ecotoxicology, toxicity data, One Health, sustainable agriculture, Common Agricultural Policy, SPRINT Toolbox, pesticide regulation, Brussels conference, EU agriculture policy, integrated pest management, pesticide alternatives, environmental risk assessment, online conference, agricultural transition, sustainable farming, policy tools, agroecology

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