Inhalt: Asia Working Group
History and Aims
The ICPPR Asia Working Group was established to promote collaboration among Asian countries on pollinator protection and the development of risk assessment frameworks. The kick-off meeting was held on November 25, 2024.
Pollinator risk assessment approaches have been developed and implemented in many regions; however, agricultural practices, crop systems, pesticide use patterns, pollinator species, and regulatory frameworks can differ substantially among Asian countries. These regional characteristics highlight the need for information exchange and cooperation to support scientifically sound and practical pollinator protection strategies in Asia.
The Working Group aims to provide a platform for sharing knowledge and experience on pollinator risk assessment, toxicity testing, exposure assessment, crop attractiveness to pollinators, and risk mitigation measures. It also seeks to identify common challenges and data gaps relevant to Asian agricultural and regulatory contexts.
The Working Group includes members from government organizations involved in pesticide regulation and pollinator protection, research institutions working on pollinator health and ecotoxicology, and experts contributing to the development and improvement of pollinator risk assessment methods.
Chairs and Contact
Kyongmi Chon, Chair
National Institute of Agricultural Sciences (NAS), Rural Development Administration (RDA), Republic of Korea
E-Mail: kmchon6939@korea.kr
Satoru Ishihara, Vice Chair
Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), Japan
E-Mail: satoru_ishihara220@mff.go.jp
Inhalt: Current Activities
As part of its planned activities, the Working Group will compile a list of main agricultural crops in the Asian region that are visited by honey bees for pollen and/or nectar, based on country-specific data and agricultural practices. This activity will help improve understanding of crop attractiveness and potential exposure scenarios for pollinators under Asian agricultural conditions.
The Working Group also plans to co-author a review paper on pollinator risk assessment in the Asian region. The review will summarize current research, regulatory frameworks, and relevant case studies from participating countries, with the aim of identifying common challenges, regional differences, and future needs.
In addition, the Working Group will discuss and propose bee risk mitigation measures that reflect local farming and beekeeping practices and that can be realistically implemented in Asian countries. These may include practical approaches to reduce pesticide exposure and improve communication among farmers, beekeepers, regulators, and other stakeholders.
In the future, the group also anticipates hosting training workshops on pollinator risk assessment and toxicity testing in Asia. These workshops may include hands-on sessions for researchers, regulators, and policy stakeholders in Asian regions, supporting capacity building and harmonized understanding of pollinator protection approaches.
Inhalt: Past Activities
Kick-off meeting of the ICPPR Asia Working Group: November 25, 2024.
The Working Group has held online meetings approximately 3–4 times per year to discuss activities and future plans.