The potential for using pesticide usage surveys to monitor plant pests

A brief introduction to the history and methodologies employed by the pesticide usage survey teams is given. The main objectives, scope and statistical requirements of the surveys are outlined. Whilst the methodologies for the collection of pesticide usage data are beneficial in the monitoring of plant pests over long periods of time, the survey visits are unsuitable for the rapid reporting needed to evaluate and report on plant pests in real time. However, because of the EU requirements for all member states to monitor pesticide usage, the data collected from these surveys can also provide information on new and existing pest pressures, changes in established pest pressures and allows monitoring of farmers’ and growers’ behaviour.