Kathleen Lewis

Comparison and evaluation of eight pesticide environmental risk indicators developed in Europe and recommendations for future use

Original article can be found at: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/01678809 Copyright Elsevier B.V. [Full text of this article is not available in the UHRA]

An international database for pesticide risk assessments and management

ABSTRACT Despite a changing world in terms of data sharing, availability, and transparency, there are still major resource issues associated with collating datasets that will satisfy the requirements of comprehensive pesticide risk assessments, especially those undertaken at a regional or national scale. In 1996, a long-term project was initiated to begin collating and formatting pesticide data to eventually create a free-to-all repository of data that would provide a comprehensive transparent, harmonized, and managed extensive dataset for all types of pesticide risk assessments. Over the last 20 years, this database has been keeping pace with improving risk assessments, their associated data requirements, and the needs and expectations of database end users. In 2007, the Pesticide Properties DataBase (PPDB) was launched as a free-to-access website. Currently, the PPDB holds data for almost 2300 pesticide active substances and over 700 metabolites. For each substance around 300 parameters are stored, covering human health, environmental quality, and biodiversity risk assessments. With the approach of the twentieth anniversary of the database, this article seeks to elucidate the current data model, data sources, its validation, and quality control processes and describes a number of existing risk assessment applications that depend upon it.

A COMPUTER-BASED INFORMAL ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR AGRICULTURE

Abstract This paper discusses a practical, computerised eco-management system for agriculture which has been developed at the University of Hertfordshire, UK for use by farmers and their advisers to encourage more sustainable practices. The research and software development has been funded by the UKs Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Milk Development Council. The computerised system helps to measure environmental performance by evaluating an eco-rating that compares actual farm practices and site-specific details with what is perceived to be the best practice for that site using an expert system together with scoring and ranking techniques. The eco-ratings system utilises a positive-negative scale to aid transparency and interpretation. In practical terms this means that undesirable and unsustainable activities will lead to negative eco-ratings. Activities which adhere to the principles of best practice and sustainable agriculture will lead to positive eco-ratings. The zero position may then be interpreted as representing an environmentally benign activity. In support of the assessment, the system incorporates modules to explore “What-If” scenarios and a hypertext information system. This paper describes the approaches and methodologies used to develop the eco-ratings and outlines the software which utilises these indices within a comprehensive decision-support framework.

A strategic environmental assessment method for agricultural policy in the UK

There are a number of significant environmental impacts that arise from agricultural practices that may be influenced by policy. A Strategic Environmental Assessment Method (SEAM) is described which aims to assess the environmental impacts of agricultural policy and aid the development of more sustainable policy formulation. The method addresses the issues of selecting appropriate performance criteria and measurements, and makes use of effect-damage functions and targets to determine the significance of potential impacts in relation to sustainability. A set of profiles is produced, describing the environmental performance of a specific policy. A confidence assessment system (CAS) is also described which provides details about the quality of the assessment and areas of uncertainty. SEAM provides information about impacts in simple format that can be easily used in decision making. It can identify environmental trade-offs and provides a holistic view that is essential when making decisions that affect the environment.

Greenhouse gas emissions and energy use in UK-grown short-day strawberry ( Fragaria xananassa Duch) crops

Original article can be found at: http://journals.cambridge.org/ Copyright Cambridge University Press

Adapting to climate change: assessing the vulnerability of ecosystem services in Europe in the context of rural development

Over the past decade, efforts to move towards a low carbon economy have been increasingly coupled with the acknowledgement that we also need to develop climate resilient economies, capable of adapting and responding to changes in climate. To shift society in these directions we need to quantify impacts in relation to these objectives and develop cost-effective interventions. Techniques for quantifying greenhouse gas emissions are relatively well established and enable identification of hotspots where there is emissions reduction potential. However, there are no established techniques to assess and quantify adaptation vulnerability issues and identify hotspots for intervention. This paper presents work undertaken at a European level with the objective of identifying potential hotspots where ecosystem services may be vulnerable to climate change and thus where intervention may be required under the European Rural Development Programme. A pragmatic and relatively simple approach is presented, based on data that is readily available across Europe. The vulnerability assessments cover: Water (quality: dilution and filtration, regulation: flooding and provision); soils (erosion and organic matter); and biodiversity (forest fires, migration and pollination). The framework and assessments presented are considered fit for purpose (at a basic level) and they are potentially valuable tools for targeting limited resources to achieve desirable outcomes. They also contribute towards providing a better understanding of the climate change challenges we face and support the formulation of solutions to optimally address those challenges. There is scope to further improvement and a number of options are discussed and explored within this paper.

Evaluating a technique used to measure environmental performance within agriculture–case studies

The definitive version can be found at: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/ Copyright John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. and ERP Environment.

The role of the EMA software in integrated crop management and its commercial uptake.

This document is the Accepted Manuscript version of the following article: Kathleen Lewis and John Tzilivakis, ‘The role of the EMA software in integrated crop management and its commercial uptake’, Pest Management Science, Vol. 56 (11): 969-973, first published online 13 October 2000. The version of record is available online at doi: DOI: 10.1002/1526-4998(200011). Copyright

Farm assurance schemes : can they improve farming standards?

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to consider the global activities, highlighting the UK, concerned with farm assurance schemes and associated food labelling seeking to identify their contribution towards improving primary production standards.Design/methodology/approach – A desk study focusing on published literature and historical documentation.Findings – The majority of primary production standards are based upon codes of good practice with only tenuous links between the standards and the required environmental outcomes. Owing to the difficulties of comparing like with like here is little conclusive evidence that such standards are producing environmental benefits.Practical implications – If it depends on assurance schemes to improve farming practices then a European‐wide standard is required that is not compromised by variations in national laws and codes of practice.Originality/value – This review is of academic value and of value to those working to improve primary production standards. It pres...

OPTIONS FOR INFORMAL ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT: THE AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRY HIGHLIGHTED

M. Newbold, K. Lewis, J. Tzilivakis, J. Finch, T. Kaho, J. Skinner, and K. Bardon, ‘The Options for informal environmental management: The agricultural industry highlighted’, paper presented at the Eco-Management and Auditing Conference, 2-3 July 1996, Leeds, UK.