Pesticide use, 2011

In 2011, Statistics Norway carried out its fifth survey on the use of pesticides in agriculture. Measured by active substance, the total amount of pesticides used in agriculture was 318 tonnes. This is up 36 tonnes from 2008, but less than in 2003 and 2005. Of the total use of pesticides, herbicides accounted for 67 per cent, fungicides 25 per cent, other pesticides such as growth regulators 7 per cent and insecticides less than half a per cent.

One third of the agricultural area sprayed

Thirty-five per cent of the conventional agricultural areas in use were treated with pesticides in 2011. Only 6 per cent of meadows and pastureland were treated. For other crops, the percentage of area treated with pesticides varied from 79 per cent for oil-seeds to 99 per cent for onions and wheat.

More herbicides and fungicides

From 2008 to 2011, the total quantity of herbicides increased by 30 tonnes, mainly due to an increase in the use of glyphosate agents, which are commonly used in the treatment of troublesome rootstock weeds, such as couch grass. The total quantity of fungicides increased by 6 tonnes in the same period. The increased usage in 2011 reflects, in part, the wet weather conditions in the growing season.

Increasing number of treatments

The number of yearly treatments in most of the crops increased from 2008 to 2011. Areas with apple and carrot were treated fewer times compared with the survey in 2008, while the other crops were treated more frequently.

Tables:

• Table 1 Holdings with spraying on area of different crops and area sprayed. 2011
• Table 2 Use of pesticides on area of different crops, by type of pesticide. 2011