Glossary of Terms

A

Acaricide

A pesticide that is used specifically to control unwanted mites.

Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI)

The acceptable daily intake is the amount of a substance which can be ingested every day of an individual's entire lifetime, in the practical certainty, on the basis of all known facts, that no harm will result. The ADI is expressed as milligrams (mg) of chemical per kg body weight of the consumer. The ADI is derived from the most appropriate No Observed Adverse Effect Level (NOAEL) by applying an assessment factor normally 100.?

Acceptable Operator Exposure Level (AOEL)

The acceptable operator exposure level is the maximum amount of active substance to which the operator may be exposed without any adverse health effects. The AOEL is expressed in mg of the chemical per kg body weight of the operator per day. The AOEL is usually derived in terms of a systemic dose and is based on the most appropriate NOAEL (qv) by applying an assessment factor normally 100 and any necessary correction for the extent of oral absorption.

ACOS

Advisory Committee on Organic Standards

ACRE

See Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment

Active ingredient

Synonym for active substance.

Active substance

Any substance or micro-organism, including a virus, that has a general or specific action: against harmful organisms; or on plants, parts of plants or plant products. Active substances are usually formulated with other materials in a pesticide product.

Acute Reference Dose (ARfD)

This is intended to define (on the basis of all known facts at the time of the evaluation) an estimate of a chemical substance in food (or drinking water), expressed on a bodyweight basis, that can be ingested over a short period of time, usually during one meal or one day, without appreciable health risk to the consumer Joint FAO/WHO Meeting on Pesticide Residues (JMPR).

ADI

See Acceptable Daily Intake

Adjuvant

A substance other than water, without significant pesticidal properties, which enhances or is intended to enhance the effectiveness of a pesticide product (when it has been added to the spray tank with the pesticide product).

Admin stream

Application procedure used to make changes to product approvals or issue new product approvals that do not require the evaluation of data or technical information. Used to be known as the Administrative Fast Stream.

Administrative Trials Permit

A non-commercial level of approval for experimental/trials work, which is carried out under stringent restrictions with a small total area to minimize operator, consumer, wildlife and environmental exposure. All crops must be destroyed.

Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment (ACRE)

ACRE is an independent Advisory Committee composed of leading scientists. Our main function is to give statutory advice to Ministers in the UK and devolved administrations on the risks to human health and the environment from the release and marketing of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). We also advise on the release of certain non-GM species of plants and animals that are not native to Great Britain.

AEA

Agricultural Engineers' Association

Aerial Application

The application of a pesticide from a fixed-wing aircraft or helicopter in flight.

AIC

Agricultural Industries Confederation (formerly UKASTA)

Algicide or Algaecide

A chemical used to control unwanted algae. (Algae are plants, which contain chlorophyll and have a simple cell structure. They are either aquatic (eg diatoms, seaweed) or live in damp places).

Analyte

The subject of analysis (a pesticide itself or a product from a pesticide when it is degraded, or metabolised).

Annex I Directive 91/414/ECC

A positive list of active substances considered by Member States and the EC Commission, and accepted as meeting criteria as specified in Council Directive 91/414/EEC.

AOEL

See Acceptable Operator Exposure Level

Approval

Official acknowledgement of satisfaction. A company wishing to advertise, sell, supply, store and/or use a pesticide in the UK must apply to CRD for an approval. An approval will only be given when all the required evidence and information on the safety, efficacy, and where relevant, the humaneness, of the pesticide has been submitted and evaluated. The final decision on approvals rests with Ministers.

Arable Field Margin Indicator

Measurement of the arable field edges, and other areas of the field, which are intended to protect ecosystems that inhabit hedgerows, areas cropped with few pesticides and uncropped areas (such as field corners).

ARfD

See Acute Reference Dose

AS

Active Substance

Assured Produce Scheme

A scheme, run by the independent organisation AFS (Assured Food Standards), which promotes the safe and environmentally friendly production of fruit, salads and vegetables.

Authorisation

The administrative act by which the competent authority of a Member State authorises (following approval) the placing onto the market of a plant protection product.

B

BAA

British Agrochemical Association

BCF

Bioconcentration factor

BCPC

British Crop Production Council (Formerly the British Crop Protection Council)

Biocidal product

Non-agricultural (public hygiene) pesticides and biocides (chemical or biological control agents) used to control unwanted pests (excludes plant protection products) eg wood preservatives, insecticides, algaecides and repellents. Information about these products is held on the main HSE website at the following link: www.hse.gov.uk/biocides/index.htm.

Biological pesticide

A micro-organism, including parasites or diseases, that is used to control pests weeds and diseases. Any micro-organism, including viruses, must be approved before it can be used as a pesticide. Larger organisms, such as insect predators or nematodes do not have to be approved as pesticides. However, non-native species may be subject to other legislation.

Biopesticides

Plant protection products which contain biological control agents (microbials, pheromones, plant extracts) for use as agricultural, horticultural and home garden pesticides.

BRC

British Retail Consortium

BUG

Biocides Usage Group

bw

Body weight

C

CAC

See Codex Alimentarius Commission

CAddY

The Computer Aided Dossier Design and supplY format for the electronic submission of dossiers. The data are stored on CD-ROM.

CAER

The Centre for Agri-Environmental Research, the University of Reading, UK

CAIP

Campaign Against Illegal Poisoning of Wildlife

CAP

Common Agricultural Policy

Carcinogens

The causal agents which induce tumours. They include external factors (chemicals, physical agents, viruses) and internal factors such as hormones. Under the EC Dangerous Substances Directive, Carcinogen Category 3 is the lowest hazard category, ie there is evidence of the agent causing tumours in rats or mice but the strength of evidence is not sufficient to place it in a higher category (category 2 or 1; category 1 being for a substance known to be carcinogenic in humans).

CFM

Cereal Field Margin

The Chemicals Regulation Division

The Directorate of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) responsible for ensuring the safe use of biocides, industrial chemicals, pesticides and detergents.

CLA

Country Land and Business Association

Codex Alimentarius

Codex Alimentarius is a series of food standards and related texts that aim to provide a high level of consumer protection and fair practice in the trade of food and agricultural products.

Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC)

The organisation charged with the development of the Codex standards and texts. The Codex Alimentarius Commission is an intergovernmental body jointly sponsored by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the World Health Organisation (WHO). Membership is open to all Member Nations and Associate Members of the FAO and WHO and currently consists of over 160 countries.

Co-formulants

Substances or preparations, other than active substances, safeners or synergist, which are used or intended to be used in a plant protection product or adjuvant.

Commodity substance

A chemical which has a pesticidal purpose but whose main use is non-pesticidal. Such a substance may only be used as a pesticide if approval for such use has been given. Examples are carbon dioxide and ethylene.

COPA

Comité des Organisations Professionnelles Agricoles de L'Union Européenne. An umbrella body of European farmers and growers associations.

CPA

Crop Protection Association

CRD

The Directorate of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) responsible for ensuring the safe use of biocides, industrial chemicals, pesticides and detergents

Cryogenic milling

Processing of commodities at very low temperatures can be achieved by milling/grinding pre-frozen samples in the presence of dry ice, a procedure known as 'cryogenic milling'.

CXL

Codex Maximum Residue Level (Codex MRL)

D

d

day

Data Protection

See Protection of Data

Data Stream

A stream for the processing of applications containing data in one or two specialist areas and mutual recognition applications.

Defoliants

Products used to make plants shed their leaves in order to regulate their growth.

Defra

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). Established in 2001, this department spearheads a major drive on green issues and the countryside. In addition to taking over responsibility for agriculture, the food industry and fisheries from the (Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF)), it has taken on the responsibilities for environment, rural development, countryside, wildlife and sustainable development of the former (Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR)).

Dermal absorption

The dermal absorption of a pesticide is a measure of the amount in contact with the skin that enters the body and is systemically available. The extent to which pesticide active substances can penetrate the skin varies greatly based on chemical properties and formulation. A value for dermal penetration is included in calculations of operator exposure.

Derogation

An exemption from a provision of EC law

Desiccants

Products used to dry out the bodies of pest organisms or unwanted plant material.

DG ENV

Directorate General of the European Commission responsible for the Environment.

DG SANCO

Directorate General of the European Commission responsible for health and consumer protection

Disease

A condition causing damage to a plant.

DNA

Deoxyribonecleic acid. The carrier of genetic information in most organisms.

Dossier

The complete data package submitted to Member States in support of inclusion of an active substance.

dt50

The time taken for an active substance to degrade by 50 per cent.

DWD

EC Drinking Water Directive

E

EA

Environment Agency

EAC

See Effective Adjuvant Component

EAS

Existing Active Substance- term commonly used in Plant Protection Products regulations

EC

European Community

ECCA

European Crop Care Association

ECCO

See European Community Co-Ordination (ECCO) Expert Group meetings.

ECJ

European Court of Justice (Luxembourg). Gives judgements on the interpretation of EC legislation.

ECPA

European Crop Protection Association

EEA

European Economic Area

Effective Adjuvant Component (EAC)

The main active component in an adjuvant.

EFSA

See European Food Safety Authority

EIS

Environmental Information Sheet

EMDI

Estimated Maximum Daily Intake

Endocrine disrupter

A substance that adversely affects hormonal processes

Environmental Panel

An advisory panel of the Advisory Committee on Pesticides, made up of experts who provide advice on environmental issues.

EPCO

EFSA Pesticides Peer review Co-Ordination.

EPPO

See European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organisation

EU

European Union

European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organisation (EPPO) (OEPP)

EPPO is an intergovernmental organization. Its objectives are to protect plants, to develop international strategies against the introduction and spread of dangerous pests and to promote safe and effective control methods.

European Community Co-Ordination (ECCO) Expert Group meetings.

The former EC-level scientific peer review. This is now the EPCO (EFSA Pesticides Peer review Co-Ordination).

European Food Safety Authority (EFSA)

The European Food Safety Authority is an independent body that reports to the European Commission. It provides independent scientific advice on all matters with a direct or indirect impact on food safety. It carries out assessments of risks to the food chain, and scientific assessment on any matter that may have a direct or indirect effect on the safety of the food supply, including matters relating to animal health, animal welfare and plant health.

F

FAO

Food and Agriculture Organisation

FEPA

See Food and Environment Protection Act

Flocculating agents

Agents used to control algae by coagulating the particles into a scum from the surface of water.

FOCUS

Forum for the Co-ordination of pesticide models and their Use

Following crops

All crops subsequently grown in an area covered by an Experimental Approval including subsequent crops from treated perennial crops (eg apple) and semi-perennial crops (eg strawberry).

Food and Environment Protection Act (FEPA)

The legal arrangements for the evaluation and approval of pesticides are laid down in (Food and Environment Protection Act (FEPA)) 1985 (as amended). These are the UK National rules governing pesticides.

Food Standards Agency (FSA)

The independent food safety watchdog set up by an Act of Parliament in 2000 and implemented by the Food Standards Act 1999, to protect the public's health and consumer interests in relation to Food.

FPC

Fresh Produce Consortium

FSA

See Food Standards Agency

Fungicide

A pesticide used to control unwanted fungal diseases in plants.

G

GAP

See Good Agricultural Practice

GATT

General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade

GCT

Game Conservancy Trust

GEP

See Good Experimental Practice

GIFAP

Groupement International des Associations Nationales de Fabricants de Produits Agrochimiques (the European Trade Association for the Agrochemical Industry)

GLP

See Good Laboratory Practice

Good Agricultural Practice (GAP)

The way products should be used according to the statutory conditions of authorisation, which are stated on the label.

Good Experimental Practice (GEP) and Good Laboratory Practice (GLP)

GEP and GLP are the organisational processes and the conditions under which studies are planned, performed, monitored, recorded and reported. GEP and GLP ensures that the way the work is done is adequately standardised and of a sufficiently high quality to produce reliable results which can with confidence be compared with those of others carrying out the same work and applying the same general principles.

H

ha

Hectare (10,000m² or 2.47 acres)

Half life

Time interval required for half a quantity of material to be eliminated naturally.

Hazard

The set of inherent properties of a substance, or mixture of substances, that make it capable of causing adverse effects to humans, other organisms or the environment.

HDC

Horticultural Development Council

Herbicide

A pesticide used to control unwanted vegetation (weed killer).

High-level consumer

A term used in the UK risk assessment calculations to describe the amount of food consumed by a person. Rather than using average values in the calculations, the 97.5th percentile value is used which gives a figure of approximately three times the average amount consumed. This takes into account the different eating patters that may occur throughout the population.

I

IACR

Institute of Arable Crop Research, Rothamsted, UK

ICM

Integrated Crop Management

IFM

Integrated Farm Management

In vitro

A term used to describe effects in biological material outside the living animal

In vivo

A term used to describe effects in living animals

Insecticide

A pesticide used to control unwanted insects.

Integrated Control

The application of a combination of biological, biotechnological, chemical, cultural or plant breeding measures whereby the use of pesticides is limited to the minimum strictly necessary to maintain harmful organisms below levels above which economically unacceptable damage or loss would occur.

IPM

Integrated Pest Management- Consideration of all available plant protection methods and integration of appropriate measures to prevent the development of, and to control, pests, weeds and diseases (defined more fully in the Sustainable Use Directive).

J

JMPR

Joint FAO/WHO Meeting on Pesticide Residues, which conducts scientific evaluations of pesticide residues in food.

JNCC

Joint Nature Conservation Committee

K

kg

kilogram

L

LEAF

Linking Environment and Farming.

LERAP

See Local Environment Risk Assessment for Pesticides.

Limit of Determination (LOD)

The limit of determination is the lowest concentration of a pesticide residue or contaminant that can be routinely identified and quantitatively measured in a specified food, agricultural commodity or animal feed with an acceptable degree of certainty by the method of analysis. It is also known as the Limit of Quantification (LOQ).

Limit of Quantification (LOQ)

See Limit of Determination.

LOAEL

See Lowest Observed Adverse Effect Level

Local Environment Risk Assessment for Pesticides (LERAP)

A Local Environmental Risk Assessment for Pesticides is the calculation required before you can reduce the aquatic buffer zone requirement for specific pesticide products using horizontal boom or broadcast air-assisted sprayers.

LOD

See Limit of Determination

Long Term Arrangement for Extension of Use (LTAEU)

The LTAEU are arrangements that allow for the extrapolation of the use of a pesticide from crops on a product label to certain other listed crops without the requirement for an additional authorisation. This in effect allows the use of pesticides on a specific 'minor' crop provided an authorisation exists for use of the same pesticide on a specific 'major' crop.

The LOQ

See Limit of Quantification

Lowest Observed Adverse Effect Level (LOAEL)

The lowest dose in a study at which an effect (or effects) is considered to be adverse occurs.

LTAEU

See Long Term Arrangements for the Extension of Use

M

MAC

Maximum Allowable Concentration

Machinery Directive

Directive 98/37/EC, which sets out the essential health and safety requirements that machinery placed on the Community market must meet if it is to benefit from free movement within the Community, and the procedures required to assess conformity with these requirements. To be replaced by Directive 2006/42/EC from 29 December 2009.

MAFF

Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

MAPP Number

Ministerially Approved Pesticide Product Number. A five figure number that appears on the product label, identifying the product and ensuring that it has been tested and is safe to use for the purposes stated.

Maximum Residue Level (MRL)

An MRL is the maximum concentration of a pesticide residue (expressed as mg/kg), permitted in or on food commodities and animal feeds. MRLs are primarily a check that Good Agricultural Practice is being followed and to assist international trade in produce treated with pesticides. MRLs are not safety limits and exposure to residues in excess of an MRL does not automatically imply a hazard to health.

Metabolite

The product formed by the metabolism of a compound

Micro-organism

A microbiological entity, cellular or non-cellular, capable of replication or of transferring genetic material. The definition applies to, but is not limited to bacteria, fungi, protozoa, viruses and viroids.

Minor use

Use of a plant protection product on:

- any crop other than a major crop (ie cereals (other than rye and triticale), oilseed rape, grassland, sugar beet, potato (other than seed), forage maize and beans dry harvested;

or

- a major crop against a minor pest for which no practicable control measures are available.

mg

milligrams

Molluscicide

A pesticide used to control unwanted slugs and snails.

MRL

See Maximum Residue Level

MRL Exceedance

Whan a pesticide residue is found at a level higher than that set for the commodity.

MS

Member State

Mutagen

An agent that causes a permanent change in the amount or structure of the genetic material in an organism. Under the EC Dangerous Substances Directive, Mutagen Category 3 is the lowest hazard category, ie there is evidence of the agent causing genetic damage in mammals but the strength of evidence is not sufficient to place it in a higher category (category 2 or 1; category 1 being for a substance known to be mutagenic in humans).

Mutual recognition

Mutual recognition allows a product authorised in one EU member state to be authorised in an other member state following a reduced evaluation.

N

n

Normal (ie maximum approved or applied for) dose

National Estimate of Dietary Intake (NEDI).

An estimate of the long term intake by consumers based on consumption of crops which contain residues at the median level (STMR). An estimate of the intake that an individual would be expected to incur over a prolonged period. The NEDI is compared against the Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI).

National Estimate of Short Term Intake (NESTI)

National Estimate of Short Term Intake. An estimate of the short term intake by consumers based on consumption of crops which contain residues at the Maximum Residue Level (MRL) or highest residue in trials which reflect the pattern of use. An estimate of the intake that an individual could be expected to incur over a single meal. The NESTI is compared against the Acute Reference Dose (ARfD).

NEDI

See National Estimate of Dietary Intake

Nematicide

A pesticide used to control unwanted nematodes (eelworms).

NEDI

See National Estimate of Dietary Intake

NESTI

See National Estimate of Short Term Intake

NFU

National Farmers' Union

NGO

Non-governmental organisation

No Observed Adverse Effect Level (NOAEL)

The highest exposure level in a toxicity study at which there are no statistically significant and/or biologically significant increases in the frequency of adverse effects between the group of animals exposed to the test substance and its respective control group.

NOAEC

No Observed Adverse Effect Concentration

NOAEL

See No Observed Adverse Effect Level

NOEC

No Observed Effect Concentration

NOEL

No Observed Effect Level

NPS

National Pesticides Strategy

NRoSO

National Register of Sprayer Operators

NSTS

National Sprayer Testing Scheme

O

OECD

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development

OEPP

See European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organisation

OP

See Organophosphate

Operator

The person mixing and/or loading and/or applying the pesticide.

OPIDN

Organophosphate-induced delayed polyneuropathy

Organophosphate (OP)

The term organophosphate (OP) is usually used to describe derivatives of phosphoric and similar acids. However, it may be more accurate to describe such compounds as 'organophosphorous compounds'. This term covers a wide range of chemicals not all of which display anticholinesterase activity.

P

PAN

Pesticide Action Network

Panel on plant health, plant protection products and their residues (PPR)

One of the European Food Safety Authority's (EFSA) Scientific Panels, it deals with questions on the safety of plant protection products for the user/worker, the consumer of treated products and the environment as well as plant health. It is referred questions by EC-level Working Groups, to whom it responds.

Parent

This refers to an active substance molecule that has not been changed by metabolism.

PEC

Predicted Environmental Concentration

Permitted Level (PL)

The permitted levels (expressed as milligrammes per kilogramme (mg/kg)), in specific commodities, of some substances which can be classified as pesticides but are controlled under the Miscellaneous Food Additives Regulations 1995 (Statutory Instrument 1995 No 3187)

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Any device or appliance designed to be worn or held by an individual for protection against one or more health and safety hazards.

Pest

Any organism harmful to plants or to wood or other plant products, any undesired plant and any harmful creature.

Pesticide

Any substance, preparation or organism prepared or used for controlling any pest. A pesticide product consists of one or more active substances co-formulated with other materials. Formulated pesticides exist in many forms, such as solid granules, powders or liquids.

Pheromones

Semiochemicals produced by individuals which modify the behaviour of other individuals of the same species (ie an intraspecific effect).

PHI

Pre-harvest interval.

Physical means

Substances, preparations or organisms designed or used for destroying or controlling pests if their principal mode of action does not involve chemical or biological action. Includes heat, cold, physical barriers, greases, non-stick coatings and glues, physical injury/kinetic force, capture and disruptors (eg sound emitters and strobe lights).

PIAP

Pesticide Incidents Appraisal Panel.

Plant Protection Product (PPP)

An active substance or preparation containing one or more active substances, formulated as it is supplied to the user, intended to:

• protect plants or plant products against all harmful organisms or prevent the action of such organisms
• influence the life processes of plants other than as a nutrient (eg as a growth regulator)
• preserve plant products, in so far as such substances or products are not subject to the provisions of Community law on preservatives
• destroy unwanted plants
• destroy parts of plants or check or prevent the undesired growth of plants.
• Sometimes used as a synonym for 'pesticide', but not in the strict legal sense.

PL

See Permitted Level

POP

Persistent organic pollutant

POEM

Predictive operator exposure model

PPE

See Personal Protective Equipment

ppm

Parts per million

PPP

Plant Protection Product

Probabilistic modelling

Probabilistic modelling is a technique that considers all the possible combinations of consumption and residue levels. It can be used to provide information on the probability of a particular intake occurring.

ProBE

Profit, Biodiversity, Environment project

Provisional tolerable daily intake

Used in the same way as ADI.

Q

QoI

Quinone outside Inhibitor

R

R & D

Research and Development

Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF)

A European Union-wide system for alerting Member States when a residue of potential concern has been detected in home-produced or imported produce.

RASFF

See Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed

Relevant metabolite

A compound produced as a result of the metabolism of an active substance that is considered relevant for risk assessment purposes, based on both its toxicity and the levels found.

Reporting Limit (RL)

The lowest calibrated level used during analysis to detect residues. The RL may very from laboratory to laboratory depending on the equipment available and operating procedures used.

Residential buffer zones

Proposal for areas of fields not to be sprayed close to residential property.

Residue

The amount of pesticide that may be present in fruit, vegetable and animal products following treatment with that pesticide. In addition to the pesticide that was applied, degradation or reaction products and metabolites that may be of toxicological risk, might also be found. These levels are expressed as milligrams of the chemical in a kilogram of crop (mg/kg), or parts per million (ppm).

Risk

The possibility that a harmful event arising from exposure to a substance, or mixture of substances that may occur under specific conditions.

Risk Assessment

A risk assessment determines whether pesticides at specific levels present a concern for consumer health. Consumer risk assessments are routinely assessed as part of the approval process for pesticides and are based on residue trials. Approval of a pesticide is only recommended when the assessment shows that consumer risk is acceptable.

RL

See Reporting Limit

RPE

Respiratory protective equipment.

RSPB

Royal Society for the Protection of Birds

S

Safener

A substance which reduces or eliminates the phytotoxic effects of a plant protection product on certain plant species.

SANCO

SANté et Protection des COnsommateurs, meaning the Health and Consumer Protection Directorate-General of the European Commission

SCFA

Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health.

School Fruit Scheme

A national, government-run scheme that entitles the youngest school children to free fruit each day. It is part of the 5 A DAY programme to increase fruit and vegetable consumption.

Scientific Committee of EFSA

The Scientific Committee of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) which deals with questions on multi-sectoral issues that come within the competence of more than one Scientific Panel, including the Panel on plant health, plant protection products and their residues (PPR). It also deals with issues which do not come within the competence of any of the Scientific Panels.

SI

See Statutory Instrument

SCRI

Scottish Crops Research Institute, based in Invergowrie, Dundee, Scotland

SNH

Scottish National Heritage

Stakeholder

Any person or organisation with an interest in the activities of CRD or who may be affected by the outcomes of CRD's work.

Statistics Regulation

A regulation, proposed as part of the Thematic Strategy for Pesticides, which will require Member States to supply the EC with specified statistics on pesticides sales and use.

Statutory Instrument

A form of legislation which allow the provisions of an Act of Parliament to be brought into force or altered without Parliament having to pass a new act.

Sustainable Use Directive

European legislation (proposed as part of the Thematic Strategy on Pesticides) setting a framework of measures to achieve the sustainable use of pesticides by reducing the risks and impacts of pesticide use on human health and the environment and promoting the use of Integrated Pest Management and of alternative approaches or techniques such as non-chemical alternatives to pesticides.

Synergist

A substance or preparation which shows no or weak activity but can give enhanced activity to the active substance(s) in a plant protection product.

T

TER

Toxicity exposure ratio

Teratogen

A substance which causes congenital abnormalities (deformities) in the baby or offspring in the womb.

Thematic Strategy for Pesticides

One of a number of EC environmental strategies adopted by the European Commission, in this case to reduce further the impact of pesticides on human health and the environment by proposing new legislation and making linkages to existing related measures such as the Water Framework Directive.

TMDI

Theoretical maximum daily intake.

U

UKASTA

United Kingdom Agricultural Supply Trades Association

UKROFS

United Kingdom Register of Organic Farming Systems

Uniform Principles

The Uniform Principles are common criteria for evaluating plant protection products at Member State level

V

v/v

Volume for volume

Variability Factor

Degree of variation in residue levels between the individual commodity units that make up a composite sample of that commodity

Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD)

The Government organisation responsible for the regulation of veterinary medicines.

VI (Voluntary Initiative)

The Voluntary Initiative for Pesticides is an industry-led scheme. It aims to improve farm-level actions to drive down the adverse environmental impacts arising from agricultural use of plant protection products. Its activities will support the delivery of the UK Strategy for the Sustainable Use of Plant Protection Products. Further details on the VI can be found here: www.voluntaryinitiative.org.uk

VMD

Veterinary Medicines Directorate

W

Water Framework Directive (WFD)

Directive 200/60/EC, which establishes a framework for improving and integrating the way water bodies are managed throughout the EC.

w/w

weight for weight

Weed

Any plant growing in a location where it is not wanted.

Weedkiller

Common name for a herbicide (see herbicide) used in home garden situations.

WFD

Water Framework Directive

WiGRAMP

Working Group on the Risk Assessment of Mixtures of Pesticides

WIIS

See Wildlife Incident Investigation Scheme

wt

Weight

Wildlife Incident Investigation Scheme (WIIS)

The Wildlife Incident Investigation Scheme (WIIS) investigates deaths of wildlife, including beneficial insects and some pets, throughout the UK where there is evidence that pesticide poisoning may be involved

Z

Zonal Authorisation

Arrangements for authorising the use of plant protection products within a group of EC Member States. The Authorisation Regulation provides for three zones: North, Centre and South.