Stewardship

Stewardship of products throughout their lifecycle

• Industry works in partnership with other stakeholders to manage crop protection or biotechnology products safely across their lifecycle through stewardship.
  
  
• The stewardship lifecycle can be split into distinct but inter-related elements or phases.
  
  
• Stewardship starts with research and development, and includes manufacture/multiplication, distribution and use and ultimately product withdrawal and management of any waste.
  
  
• Elements describing both crop protection stewardship and biotech stewardship have been developed and described by CropLife International
  
  

Product Stewardship - often described as the life-cycle approach to product management - is the responsible and ethical management of a crop protection or biotechnology product from its discovery or development through to its ultimate use and beyond. The Plant Science Industry is committed to promoting full and effective stewardship to the field level, and recognises that the appropriate management and use of its products is an important element underpinning sustainable agriculture.

Stewardship begins at the research and development phase of a product, going on to distribution and use, through to eventual phase-out and disposal of any waste. The plant science industry recognises its responsibilities and works with a range of stakeholders at all stages of a products life. For ease in conceptualising and managing stewardship programmes, the lifecycle is divided into distinct elements corresponding to the phases a  product goes through.  The elements for crop protection stewardship (commonly referred to as pesticide stewardship) and agricultural biotech stewardship are shown below:

Crop Protection Stewardship

Agricultural Biotech Stewardship

CropLife International’s member associations and leading companies undertake stewardship activities across the world.  These activities cover all countries: not just large and commercially important markets.  Effective stewardship maximises the benefits and minimises any risks from use of industry’s products and supports our contribution to sustainable agriculture.  Examples of crop protection stewardship and agricultural biotech stewardship can be found on the pages dedicated to these issues.

For more information, click on this link:

- Stewardship