According to title III, particular conditions on buffer zones close to water bodies (decree of 12 september 2006 on the marketing and use of products within the scope of L253-1), once a PPP or fertilizer has been evaluated prior to marketing one or several buffer zones can be defined, depending on the uses. These buffer zone widths can only be selected within the following width: 5 meters, 20 meters, 50 meters or, larger or equal to 100 meters.
Buffer zones that had already been defined within the scope of article L 253-1 of the rural code and maritime fisheries are modified:
Article 14 provides for the fact that the width of these buffer zones can be reduced from 20 to 5 meters; from 50 to 5 meters, provided the conditions in annex 3 are respected:
In order to be allowed to reduce buffer zone width, the following conditions are to be respected simultaneously:
Buffer zones that had already been defined within the scope of article L 253-1 of the rural code and maritime fisheries are modified:
- non treated buffer zone larger or equal to 1 meter or equal or smaller than 10 => 5 meters
- non treated buffer zone larger or equal to 10 meters and smaller or equal to 30 meters => 20 meters
- non treated buffer zone larger than 30 m and smaller than 100 m => 50 meters
Article 14 provides for the fact that the width of these buffer zones can be reduced from 20 to 5 meters; from 50 to 5 meters, provided the conditions in annex 3 are respected:
In order to be allowed to reduce buffer zone width, the following conditions are to be respected simultaneously:
- vegetated zone of minimum 5 m width along the water body (with trees for orchards and similar cultures), whereas the height of hedges or trees must be as high (or higher) than the treated crop); grassed or shrubs or trees for other crops
- use of tools to reduce risks for aquatic environments (these tools must be listed in the "bulletin officiel du ministère de l'agriculture et de la pêche". Every tool must allow for at least a threefold reduction of the risks for auqatic organisms
- All products used on the concerned plot are recorded (date, dosage, name of the product, crop etc.)