"Plant protection products are preparations containing one or more active ingredients that are used specifically to ensure the health and performance of crops . They are used to control pests (e.g., insects, fungi, bacteria, viruses, or weeds), to regulate physiological processes (e.g., growth regulators), and to ensure the quality and shelf life of plant products.
According to the Swiss Plant Protection Products Ordinance (PSMV, SR 916.161), plant protection products may only be placed on the market or used if they have been approved by the Federal Office for Agriculture (FOAG) . Approval is based on a scientific review that takes into account efficacy, residue behavior, impacts on humans, animals, and the environment, as well as risks to biodiversity.
Thus, plant protection products form a central interface between agricultural production, food safety and environmental protection."
