The Pervermac II Project and Its Actions Regarding the Sustainable Use of Pesticides on Agricultural Production, Food Safety and Consumers Health in Azores

Abstract

The overall objective of Pervermac II project is to promote a sustainable use of pesticides in the agricultural production and ensure food security in the Macaronesian region (Azores, Madeira, Canaries and Cape Verde). The aim is to ensure farmer’s safety and health with special regards to those who apply pesticides in field through the quantification of residues level in the vegetable and fruits locally produced and imported and, at the same time, decreasing environmental contamination which could represent a risk for consumer health. The level of residues in agricultural products collected during the last four years (2017 to 2020) were been analysed in order to safeguard food safety for the Azorean population. There were also made food surveys to obtain the real proportion of vegetable and fruits in our diet and the correlated level of pesticides residues in the food intake by humans. On most of the products analysed, no pesticide residues were found. Pesticides residuals were found only on a small portion and in this case, the limit allowed by law was never been reached. Activities to raise awareness about the adoption of good diet and promoting actions concerning the implementation of organic production and consumption were conducted with students and Azorean consumers. Actions of knowledge increasing and technology transfer to farmer and the technicians ensured the adoption and implementation of integrated protection measures, promoting the sustainable use of pesticides by the farmers that implemented alternative means of protection against the major crop’s phytosanitary problems. This work has been funded by the European Fund for Regional Development (FEDER), articulated through the Territorial cooperation MAC 2014-2020.