b'The Phytobacsystem helps Dutchfarmer Jasper Roubos keep plant protection products out of the surrounding water systems.We know theres been so much talk about neonics,country and were developed by experts in those coun-and a lot of it has been about the potential impact ontries, says Anika Gatt Seretny, senior communications pollinators. What was a surprise to many people in themanager, European Crop Protection Association. industry was when PMRA came out with their proposedAfter best management practices were developed, decision to cancel because of the impact to aquaticTOPPS created training manuals used to train advisors invertebrates, she says. and farmers directly. The project doesnt just aim to Neonics are such a critical pesticide for potatoIts really lookingdevelop ubiquitous best management practicesa production in Canada, which is perhaps why the an- at your own farmtask that is incredibly difficult, especially given how nouncement really raised the profile of the risk of off- landscape and circumstances change from country to site pesticide movement. Following PMRAs proposedand looking at areascountryits main objectives are to develop tools for decision, industry formed a multi-stakeholder neonicthat lead to potentialrisk diagnosis. team to increase the water monitoring database andTOPPS has created a manual covering extensive propose mitigation strategies in lieu of a ban. The po- problems. What areagricultural areas and conditions and offers field tato industry, in particular, began to evaluate currentthe points that aresource and point source best management practices practices, as well as those that could be put in placevulnerable for potential(http://www.topps-life.org/key-documents3.html). to reduce the risk of off-site movement. While not all practices can be implemented everywhere, water contamination?the manual does provide a good starting point for TOPPS PROJECT those growers who wish to learn more about how they One of the international resources the stakeholderLUC BOURGEOIS can minimize environmental impact on their farms.group evaluated was TOPPS (Train Operators to Pro- Luc Bourgeois, technical issues manager at Bayer mote Best Management Practices and Sustainability).Crop Science, was very involved in working with in-Launched in the early 2000s, TOPPS is an EU-fundeddustry on risk mitigation strategies. When it comes to project developed by a multi-stakeholder group withland stewardship, theres no one-size-fits-all strategy, experts from all aspects of the industry. he says. Best management practices vary from country toIts really looking at your own farm and looking 52 SPUDSMART.COM FALL 2019'