While it would be ideal to set up a database of low risk and effective alternatives to HHPs and other high risk pesticides, this is not likely to be feasible. The sheer number of possible crop-pest combinations prohibits a complete coverage, especially if one takes into account that pest management options may differ for the same crop-pest under different climatic and agro-ecological conditions. Furthermore, keeping such a database up-to-date would be very time-consuming as pest management develops continuously.

Specific alternative assessments will therefore need to be conducted for individual cases. However, that does not mean that the wheel should be re-invented every time. Many resources exist that can assist in identifying potential alternatives and obtaining information about their efficacy and viability under local conditions. Below, some relevant internet resources are listed, categorized under different headings.

Low risk (bio)pesticides

European Commission – The EC recognizes low risk active substances, which are pesticide active ingredients that have been evaluated as having a low risk. They can be found in the EU Pesticides Database (select “low risk active substance” in the “Type” box). Criteria for the approval of low risk active substances in the EU can be found here.

United States Environmental Protection Agency – The US EPA list so-called Minimum Risk Pesticides, which are pesticides exempted from registration since they pose little to no risk to human health or the environment. Both the lists of active ingredients and inert ingredients allowed in minimum risk pesticides, as well as minimum risk pesticide criteria, are provided.

Pesticide properties

Various databases can be consulted to obtain hazard information about individual synthetic pesticide and biopesticide active ingredients. Such hazard information (e.g. human and environmental toxicity, pathogenicity, persistence, bioaccumulation potential) can be used in comparative hazard/risk assessments.

The Pesticide properties page in the Information Sources menu of the Toolkit lists reputable databases.

Pest management options for specific crops and pests

Various – CABI Plantwise Knowledge Bank – Gateway to practical plant health information, including diagnostic resources and best-practice pest management advice.

Various – CABI Invasive Pests Compendium – Resource that brings together a wide range of different types of science-based information to support decision-making in invasive species management worldwide.

Rice – International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) – Rice Diseases Online Resource – 80 plant diseases in rice production, the biology of these diseases, and selected disease management practices.

Vegetables – World Vegetable Center – Vegetable production guides, best practices and other resources which provide guidance on vegetable pest, weed and disease management.

Various – International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE) – Manuals about IPM in various crops, push-pull technology, biocontrol

Dryland crops – International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) – Pests and diseases pages, linking to guidelines and other publications on IPM and biocontrol

Potato, sweet potato, roots & tubers – International Potato Center (CIP) – Publications catalogue, including guidelines and articles on pest management

Various – CGSpace – Repository of outputs from the CGIAR international agricultural research centres and its partners. Use the general search box to find articles, manuals, brochures about specific pests or crops

Various – Infonet-Biovision – Plant Health pages provide pest and pest management information for a range of crops, with a focus on sustainable and organic technologies

Fall armyworm – FAO – Global Action for Fall Armyworm Control. Sustainable management options and success stories from the field.

Quelea bird control – Rotterdam Convention – Alternatives to fenthion for quelea bird control

Various – Access Agriculture – Hosts training videos in support of sustainable agriculture in developing countries. The plant health pages provide videos on pest management in different crops.

Various – OISAT (Online Information Service for Non-Chemical Pest Management in the Tropics) – web site hosted by Pesticide Action Network Germany providing information on non-chemical pest management approaches for a range of tropical crops and pests.

Biocontrol

CABI BioProtection Portal – Information about registered biocontrol and biopesticide products. around the world

IPM

Various – FAO – Agroecology Knowledge Hub – The Agroecology Knowledge Hub showcases evidence, policies, practices and science on agroecology, including pest management

Various – FAO – Integrated Production and Pest Management Programme in Africa. Provides articles, manuals, videos, about IPM in West Africa