SWAP-CPP - Surface Water Protection Against Diffuse Crop Protection Products Release

The main objective of the project was to demonstrate the possibility of protecting surface waters against crop protection products run-off from arable lands by means of cost-effective agricultural practices. This was done in two pilot areas, considered worst case situations: wine production in Champagne, France, and potato growing in Wallonia, Belgium.

The project demonstrated that "zero runoff of pesticides" to surface water is possible in both experimental areas. More specifically, two small catchment areas were monitored in the wine culture area of Baslieux-sous-Châtillon, Champagne (F) from 2005 to 2007. These results show that the "zero runoff of pesticides" can be obtained by retention of runoff flow in a basin large enough to hold the runoff of a yearly rainfall event. This last approach creates artificial biologically active wetlands and is applicable to any agricultural catchment.

The project also assessed the costs and benefits associated with the creation of a retention basin for the annual runoff event and for the combination of soil coverage and retention of annual stormwater in basins. The total internal and external costs have been evaluated for the various stakeholders. Based on this approach, it is concluded that the costs of prevention are lower than the costs incurred if no actions are being taken. The project demonstrated that the measures are cost-effective and easy to implement.