Publications & Downloads

Ibrahim et al. (2019) A common issue Wildlife risk assessment supported by population modelling: a case study on potential herbicide effects on common vole populations

Environmental risk assessments ( for pesticides usually require higher tier data for the small herbivorous mammal scenario represented by the vole. Population modelling for a relevant vole species is one way to provide such data. This exemplarily case study conveys all relevant steps conducted in a population modelling application for higher tier ERA within a submission process.

Ludwigs et al. (2019) Calculating realistic long term PT values for wildlife risk assessment insights from telemetry field studies

The current EFSA guidance document (GD) on risk assessment for birds and mammals (2009) assumes, if no specific data are available, that animals feed exclusively on pesticide treated fields.

Hahne et al. (2019) New proposed Residues on Fruits (RUD’s) for frugivorescenarios in EFSA Bird and Mammal Risk Assessment

The Guidance Document on Risk Assessment for Birds and Mammals (EFSA 2009) provides default ‘Residue per unit dose’ or RUD values for food items to be used in wild life risk assessments. Most of these RUD values are based on large numbers of registration relevant residue studies conducted by industry members and provided to EFSA.

Blanckenhagen, Reichert, Nickisch (2019) Beyond SFO? Residue decline on food in birds & mammals risk assessments

For wildlife risk assessments, the Guidance Document on Risk Assessment for Birds and Mammals (EFSA 2009 provides a default DT 50 of 10 days for food items like arthropods and vegetation. It also offers refinement options for higher tier birds and mammals risk assessments.

Lückmann, Faupel, Ludwigs (2018) ‘Focal species’ – can this well-known concept in higher-tier risk assessments be an appropriate approach for solitary bees?

Bumble bees and solitary bees have to be considered in addition to honey bees regarding environmental pollinator risk assessments. For solitary bees it is proposed to use Osmia cornuta (LATR., 1805) or O. bicornis (L., 1758) as test organisms.

Montinaro, Grimm, Ludwigs (2018) Telemetry study on the common toad (Bufo bufo) during postbreeding migration through cereal fields in Germany

The recent Scientific Opinion on the state of the science on pesticide risk assessment for amphibians and reptiles (EFSA 2018) points out the need to collect more data on the ecology of amphibians to reduce uncertainties when assessing the potential risks associated with exposure to pesticides.

Sgolastra et al. (2018) Pesticide Exposure Assessment Paradigm for Solitary Bees

Current pesticide risk assessment for bees relies on a single (social) species, the western honey bee, Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae). However, most of the >20,000 bee species worldwide are solitary.

Vallon et al. (2018) Focal Species Candidates for Pesticide Risk Assessment in European Rice Fields: A Review

An assessment of potential risks of pesticides on wildlife is required during the process of product registration within Europe because of the importance of agricultural landscapes as wildlife habitats. Despite their peculiarity and their specific role as artificial wetlands, rice paddies are to date pooled with cereals in guidance documents on how to conduct risk assessments for birds and mammals in Europe.

Gradish et al. (2018) Comparison of Pesticide Exposure in Honey Bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae) and Bumble Bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae): Implications for Risk Assessments

To date, regulatory pesticide risk assessments have relied on the honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) (Hymenoptera: Apidae) as a surrogate test species for estimating the risk of pesticide exposure to all bee species. However, honey bees and non-Apis bees may differ in their susceptibility and exposure to pesticides.

Alscher, Hecht-Rost, Lückmann (2017) On the way to a new guideline: Results of three years of bumble bee semi-field testing

According to the EFSA Guidance Document on bees (EFSA, 2013), not only honey bees but also bumble bees should be considered in the risk assessment of plant protection products. Up to now, no official guideline for standardised semi-field trials is available to assess effects on bumble bees.

Blanckenhagen (2017) Enclosure set up: a well-known system as a new semi-field approach for risk assessment of plant protection products on common voles

Within the EFSA (2009) guided registration of pesticides, the risk assessment for small herbivorous mammals is an all-crop scenario, which often fails to reach the trigger indicating a safe use, even with the higher tier approach. For supporting ‘weight of evidence’ approaches, EFSA (2009) recommends field effect studies or population modelling.

Neuwoehner (2017) Chances and Challenges in Regulatory Ecotoxicological Mixture Toxicity Assessment for Plant Protection Products