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MINAGRIS and PAPILLONS joint stakeholder forum: towards a one-health approach for the risk assessment of micro- and nano-plastics

This joint stakeholder forum was held at the end of the AGRIFOODPLAST Conference and was open to conference and external participants. The workshop is part of a series of high level stakeholder forum organised jointly by the MINAGRIS and PAPILLONS projects to share findings and solicit feedback from international and EU level stakeholders. On this occasion COST Action PRIORITY also joined the organising team. The workshop chairs were Julie Ingram: MINAGRIS Horizon project; Luca Nizzetto: PAPILLONS Horizon project; Stefania Federici: PRIORITY (Plastics Monitoring Detection Remediation Recovery) COST action.

Aims and scope

This workshop brought together experts, researchers, policy makers, industry, international agency and NGO representatives to explore the environmental and health risks associated with micro and nanoplastic in agri-food chains and how they can be assessed, measured and mitigated. This is in the context of the need to address research gaps with respect to risk assessment methodologies, and to remove uncertainties to enable policy development. With over forty participants in person and online respectively attended.

After an update from MINAGRIS, PAPILLONS and COST researchers, two expert ‘scene setting’ presentations were delivered: A roadmap for micro and nanoplastics risk assessment: lessons to be learned from plant protection products; and Standardisation of methods for micro and nanoplastics quantification (Ettore Capri) and The experience with patented food methods and the potential transfer to soil analyses (Margherita Ferrante). Following this an in-person World Café exploring how Risk Assessment Roadmap, Method Standardisation and Research gaps can be met for policy development was used in which interactive groups of participants addressed policy, research, public selected questions as follows:

RESEARCH: What are the most pressing research priorities (gaps) in the field of micro and nanoplastics risk assessment that could have a significant impact on policy development?

POLICY: How can researchers effectively communicate the potential health risks associated with micro and nanoplastics exposure in humans, animals, and ecosystems, to policymakers?

PUBLIC AWARENESS: How can we effectively communicate the potential health risks associated with micro and nanoplastics exposure in humans, animals, and ecosystems, to the public?

These discussions will inform the policy recommendations as the projects progress.

 Closing Knowledge Gaps

One of the most significant barriers to progress is the lack of reliable data. Information on the use, distribution and end-of-life management of agricultural plastics remains limited across Europe. Monitoring systems are often inconsistent, and harmonised methods for sampling and analysing microplastics in soil are still lacking. Data on the multiple sources of plastic in soil is also missing.

There is also a need for improved knowledge exchange. Farmers and land managers frequently lack access to clear guidance on plastic management, while awareness of microplastic pollution remains uneven across the sector. Training programmes, advisory services and information campaigns were identified as important tools for improving practice and reducing plastic leakage into the environment.

Improving End-of-Life Management

End-of-life management represents the most urgent area for intervention. Current systems face a combination of technical, economic and logistical challenges. Agricultural plastics are often contaminated with soil and organic matter, making collection and recycling difficult and costly. In many countries, recycling infrastructure remains insufficient, while the economic viability of recycling facilities can be uncertain. The limited implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes and the absence of coordinated national collection systems is an underlying problem.

Addressing these barriers through better collection networks, improved recycling infrastructure and stronger producer responsibility frameworks could significantly reduce plastic leakage into soils and the wider environment.

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Rethinking Plastic Use and Product Design

While end-of-life management was often considered the highest priority in the stakeholder survey, improved product design, reduced material use and the integration of circular economy principles were all identified as important opportunities. There was, however, limited support among some sectors for strategies focused solely on reducing plastic use. Many industry respondents viewed continued use of agricultural plastics as essential for maintaining agricultural productivity and food security. They also pointed to other source of microplastics in soil.

 The Role of Biodegradable and Compostable Alternatives

When designed, certified and used appropriately, biodegradable and compostable agricultural plastics have the potential to play a significant role in enhancing the sustainability of agricultural systems. This is particularly the case where product recovery after use is technically challenging, economically impractical, or associated with a high risk of environmental leakage. However, this can only be fully achieved if compliance with regulations on use of mulch films is adhered to. Uncertainties around performance, degradation processes and environmental impacts remain.

In the stakeholder survey, support was strongest for biodegradable applications for mulch films and other non-recoverable products, including certain tree guards and coated agricultural inputs. Respondents recognised their potential to simplify end-of-life management, reduce the risk of plastic leakage and complement existing collection and recycling systems. At the same time, stakeholders highlighted the importance of maintaining high standards of environmental performance, transparency and product stewardship. However, concerns among MINAGRIS consortium remain regarding, transparency around additives and the potential effects of degradation products in soil ecosystems. The importance of compliance with recognised international standards and legislation was emphasised. Again building user knowledge and awareness was identified as essential.

 

Governance Matters

These challenges show how governance is a critical factor in reducing microplastic pollution. The current legislative landscape is seen as fragmented and only partly effective.

 

Successful policy frameworks are likely to require:

  • Strong monitoring, data availability on production and end-of-life of plastics materials and enforcement mechanisms.
  • Well-designed economic incentives.
  • Better knowledge sharing and dissemination.
  • Meaningful stakeholder engagement across the value chain.
  • Harmonised approaches to producer responsibility and collection systems.
  • Compliance in the market with the EU and international regulatory framework for biodegradable plastics.

Areas of Broad Consensus

Despite differences in evidence and perspective between researchers, policy makers, farmers, industry representatives and NGOs expressed in the literature and in the surveys conducted, several common themes emerged:

  • Knowledge gaps remain a major obstacle: Better data (covering all the value chain), monitoring systems and evidence are essential for effective policy development and evaluation, while industry and users need awareness raising and advice.
  • Economical sustainability of the recycling system: economic feasibility of recycling both in terms of process and price of final products is important.
  • End-of-life management is a priority: Investment in collection and recycling infrastructure is widely seen as the most immediate opportunity for reducing plastic leakage.
  • Eco-design is critical: Products should be designed with their entire lifecycle in mind, including recovery, recycling and disposal.
  • Extended Producer Responsibility is strongly supported: Harmonised EPR schemes and national collection systems are critically needed.

A Systems-Based Path Forward

The evidence is clear: reducing microplastic pollution in agricultural soils will require coordinated action across the entire value chain. No single technology or intervention can solve the problem. End-of-life management is a priority, a combination of better design, optimized and environmentally sustainable use of plastics, and appropriate biodegradable alternatives will also be needed.

A successful strategy must combine lifecycle thinking, stakeholder collaboration, robust governance, improved monitoring and practical solutions for plastic use and end-of-life management. Only through a systems-based approach can Europe effectively reduce microplastic emissions while maintaining the benefits that plastics provide to modern agriculture.

Footnote About the BREF

The BREF (Best Available Techniques Reference) document has been developed to provide scientific and technical guidance on the sustainable use of plastics in agriculture, with a particular focus on preventing and reducing micro- and nanoplastic emissions to soils and connected ecosystems. It is intended as a practical reference for growers, industry stakeholders, technical advisers, policy makers and standardisation bodies. It sets out 8 Best Available Techniques. Read the document by clicking here.