About the National Action Plan

The National Action Plan focuses on the reduction of risks to humans, animals and the environment that may arise from the use of authorised plant protection products. It takes into account the health, social, economic and environmental impacts. 

The National Action Plan was drawn up with the collaboration of the German Länder and the participation of associations dealing with plants or plant products, plant protection, consumer protection, water management or environment protection and nature conservation. 

Taking into account risk-reducing measures already taken, the National Action Plan contains quantitative regulations, targets, measures, indicators and timetables for reducing risks and adverse impacts from the use of plant protection products on human and animal health, as well as on the environment. The target requirements relate to plant protection, operator protection, consumer protection and protection of the natural environment.

All authorities involved at federal and Länder level, academia, the relevant associations of agriculture and forestry, horticulture, the home gardens and allotments sector and water management as well as trade-companies and associations for consumer, environmental and nature protection are called upon to work together on the implementation of the National Action Plan. 

Once a year, representatives from these areas meet as the NAP Forum to review the progress of the National Action Plan and to draw up proposals for its further development.

The National Action Plan is reviewed every five years.

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Regional Identity (BMLEH) is the lead ministry responsible for the implementation, review and revision of the NAP.

The drawing up of a National Action Plan in accordance with Article 4 of Directive 2009/128/EC and its review are regulated by law in Germany under Section 4 of the Plant Protection Act.

Recent developments

In 2017, the European Commission carried out a fact-finding mission to evaluate the implementation of measures to achieve the sustainable use of pesticides, including the National Action Plan. The findings were summarised and published in a report:
Commission report on the fact-finding mission to Germany in March 2017 (PDF file)

On 1 June 2022, the Ministry organised an online conference on the further development of the NAP. Representatives from various stakeholder groups presented their views, especially on the topics of ‘reducing the use of plant protection products’ and ‘integrated pest management measures’. The outcomes of the event were analysed with regard to the future development of the NAP. At the meeting of the NAP Forum in November 2022, the Ministry presented its key priorities for the substantive and structural-procedural development of the NAP and discussed these with the stakeholders.

In 2026, the European Commission carried out an audit in Germany to evaluate the implementation of measures for the sustainable use of pesticide and the implementation of European rules on the inspection of application equipment. In this context, the content and progress of the National Action Plan were also assessed. The audit report is not yet available.

The National Action Plan is currently being revised. To this end, the Ministry has launched a dialogue and consultation process involving all relevant stakeholders. Aside from this process, the existing recommendations and expert contributions of the NAP panels will also be taken into account in the revision of the NAP.