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Indicator Type: Environmental Pressure
Pesticide sales and use are an indicator of environmental loading and potential impacts on Alberta's land, water and air. The indicator is developed from pesticide (herbicides, insecticides and fungicides used to control unwanted weeds, insects and diseases) sales data provided to Alberta Environment every five years. The agricultural component of the sales information is linked to cultivated agricultural land areas to calculate an estimated intensity of pesticide use for agriculture. Use intensity refers to the amount of pesticide used (in kilograms of active ingredient) per hectare of land.
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Why is this indicator important?
Pesticide use intensity as an indicator provides a standard unit of measurement for various use sectors (agriculture, domestic, others), and can be compared to use intensities in other regions of Canada or other countries. This indicator provides a simple and broad representation of pesticide use in Alberta. The detailed statistics behind the indicator are used in updating monitoring programs, and in interpreting pesticide-monitoring data. Overall use and use intensity will potentially show the effects of changes in management practices. They will also show the effects of changes in cropping practices for agriculture or large-scale weed, insect or disease problems for agriculture, forestry, and other industrial and municipal uses.
The agricultural component of this indicator links to Water For Life initiatives on healthy aquatic ecosystems and safe drinking water. It also links to the River Pesticide Index indicator. The domestic data supports stewardship activities at the municipal level, where municipalities and industry are working with Alberta Environment to develop Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs for responsible pesticide use. This is expected to lead to reduced pesticide use, and alleviate the need for municipal bylaws and bans.
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