GO DRONSafe

Application of plant protection products using drones as a tool to reduce exposure

DRONSafe

Greenbot robot
Greenbot robot

2023 – 2027 (In progress)

Meet the DRONSafe

The objective of the DRONSafe Operational Group is is to develop scenarios for the application of plant protection products using drones through the establishment of living labs. This general objective has been established based on the regulations governing the use of unmanned aerial vehicles for the application of crop protection products, both under the current Sustainable Use Directive and in the proposed future Regulation on the sustainable use of plant protection products.

To achieve this overall objective, the following specific objectives have been set:

  • Characterisation of exposure in environmental scenarios of plant protection product applications carried out with drones in three-dimensional and two-dimensional crops.
  • Characterisation of non-dietary exposure in humans to plant protection product applications carried out with drones in three-dimensional and two-dimensional crops.
  • Characterisation of dietary exposure in humans from the application of plant protection products using drones in three-dimensional and two-dimensional crops.
  • Generation and development of a proposal for risk assessment of the use of drones in the application of plant protection products in Mediterranean conditions.
  • Generation of a tool for the sector (farmers/application companies) ‘White paper on application with drones’.

Web: www.observatorioagroalimentario.com/dronsafe

Expected outcomes

The expected results, which derive from the specific objectives, are:

  • Current status of environmental scenarios and non-dietary exposure from the application of plant protection products using drones.
  • Drift curves generated by the application of plant protection products using drones in vineyards, citrus groves and potato fields.
  • Non-dietary exposure data from living labs.
    Development of a protocol of good practices and safety for operators/workers using drones to apply plant protection products.
  • Residues generated in the application of plant protection products with drones in stone fruit, citrus and horticultural/legume crops.
  • Verification of compliance with consumer safety standards (Maximum Residue Limits – MRLs).
  • Proposed methodology for estimating environmental exposure from the use of drones in the application of plant protection products.
  • Tool for the sector (farmers/application companies) ‘White paper on application with drones’.

DRONSafe