Germany's farmers are vital suppliers of numerous raw materials for the food and animal feeds sector, and hence a significant branch of industry. At the same time, the agricultural sector is the largest land user and, unlike other industries, most production takes place in an "open system". This poses a risk to the environment, since only part of the substances used, especially fertilisers and pesticides, are utilised, degraded and retained in soils and plants. A significant portion enters our waterbodies and neighbouring ecosystems, where it can cause major ecological damage.