Decree on sustainable use of pesticides in the Flemish Region. Country/Territory Belgium Territorial subdivision Vlaanderen Document type Regulation Date 2013 Source FAO, FAOLEX Subject Environment gen., Land & soil, Cultivated plants, Water Keyword Pollution control Pesticides Precautionary principle Sustainable development Enforcement/compliance Soil pollution/quality Plant protection Integrated management Sustainable use Freshwater pollution Geographical area Benelux, Europe, Europe and Central Asia, European Union Countries, North Atlantic, North Sea, North-East Atlantic, Western Europe Abstract This Decree aims to protect human health and the environment against the risks associated with the use of pesticides. In particular, measures will be established in which pesticide control is promoted and in which the following hierarchy is used as a priority order: 1) the prevention of the use of pesticides; 2) the use of alternative control methods; 3o the use of chemical agents in a way that entails the least risks for people and the environment. An Action Plan for Sustainable Pesticide Use will be made. The Action Plan is revised every five years and any significant changes to the current Action Plan are immediately reported to the European Commission. The Flemish Government establishes a Steering Group for Sustainable Pesticide Use, further abbreviated as Steering group, charged with drawing up the draft Action Plan. The Government establishes further rules for determining the content, the development procedure and the publication of the Action Plan. The Decree also concerns contamination of water by pesticides. Full text Dutch Website www.just.fgov.be References - Legislation Implemented by Decision of the Flemish Government containing further rules regarding sustainable use of pesticides in the Flemish Region for non-agricultural and horticultural activities and the development of the Flemish Action Plan Sustainable Pesticide Use. Legislation | Belgium | 2013 Keyword: Pollution control, Pesticides, Precautionary principle, Sustainable development, Enforcement/compliance, Soil pollution/quality, Plant protection, Integrated management, Sustainable use, Freshwater pollution Source: FAO, FAOLEX