NEW POLICY IN EUROPE: IPM IN 2014, BUT HOW CAN WE MAKE SURE THIS IS REALLY IMPLEMENTED BY EVERY EU-FARMER IN 2014?

PAN-EUROPE NETWORK PAN global network on pesticides PAN-Europe around 40 member organisations in Europe in most EU member states PAN-Europe small central unit; cooperating with the network on several topics PAN-E focussed much on chemicals; now agriculture also main focus point Lobby activities and campaings to be visible, expertise on many topics

DEPENDANCE ON CHEMICALS REMAINS

- - FOOD POLLUTION EVEN GROWING

EU SEES URGENCY TO REDUCE DEPENDANCY ON PESTICIDES Framework Directive saying: General principles of IPM implemented by every EU farmer by 2014 EU member states to: 1. Set quantitative targets, indicators, measures & timetables for the reduction of risks and impacts of pesticde use 2. Use all necessary means to achieve the targets 3. Describe in NAP how to ensure the general principles of IPM (Annex III) are implemented EU only monitoring work of MS and not taking the lead.

General principles of IPM ( 1st part) 1. The prevention and/or suppression of harmful organisms should be achieved or supported among other options especially by: – crop rotation, – use of adequate cultivation techniques (e.g. stale seedbed technique, sowing dates and densities, under-sowing, conservation tillage, pruning and direct sowing), – use, where appropriate, of resistant/tolerant cultivars and standard/certified seed and planting material, – use of balanced fertilisation, liming and irrigation/drainage practices, – preventing the spreading of harmful organisms by hygiene measures (e.g. by regular cleansing of machinery and equipment), – protection and enhancement of important beneficial organisms, e.g. by adequate plant protection measures or the utilisation of ecological infrastructures inside and outside production sites.

General principles (continued) 2. Harmful organisms must be monitored by adequate methods and tools, where available. Such adequate tools should include observations in the field as well as scientifically sound warning, forecasting and early diagnosis systems, where feasible, as well as the use of advice from professionally qualified advisors Based on the results of the monitoring the professional user has to decide whether and when to apply plant protection measures. Robust and scientifically sound threshold values are essential components for decision making. For harmful organisms threshold levels defined for the region, specific areas, crops and particular climatic conditions must be taken into account before treatments, where feasible Sustainable biological, physical and other non-chemical methods must be preferred to chemical methods if they provide satisfactory pest control The pesticides applied shall be as specific as possible for the target and shall have the least side effects on human health, non-target organisms and the environment The professional user should keep the use of pesticides and other forms of intervention to levels that are necessary, e.g. by reduced doses, reduced application frequency or partial applications, considering that the level of risk in vegetation is acceptable and they do not increase the risk for development of resistance in populations of harmful organisms Where the risk of resistance against a plant protection measure is known and where the level of harmful organisms requires repeated application of pesticides to the crops, available anti-resistance strategies should be applied to maintain the effectiveness of the products. This may include the use of multiple pesticides with different modes of action Based on the records on the use of pesticides and on the monitoring of harmful organisms the professional user should check the success of the applied plant protection measures.

ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY FOR A TRANSITION TO IPM On EU-level urgency to change agriculture is seen, but what will MS do? If nothing changes the probable outcome is: 1. Some MS perform good (Denmark, Sweden) with good track record on Big Four: 2. Majority MS follow minimum requirements of FD 3. At the low end some MS with a bad performance Big Four: Strong targets, Financial incentives, Good extension service, Mandatory minimum requirements

Reward the best IPM-farmers (by best retailers, by CAP-money) Reward the best IPM-farmers (by best retailers, by CAP-money) Stimulate and challenge big peloton of farmers Stimulate and challenge big peloton of farmers Create additional government policy for minimum standards of IPM Create additional government policy for minimum standards of IPM ON FARMER TACTICS A SEGMENTED APPROACH SHOULD BE PERSUED

What can we do to make IPM implementation to a success? 1. Stakeholders join forces & lobby 2. Use CAP money to reward the best farmers 3. Make the NAPs to a success 4. Involve the supply chain 5. Make efforts and results visible and communicate them

What can we do to make IPM implementation to a success? –1- Join Forces: PAN-Europe started network of 15 EU- members We are looking for extending the network with progressive people from science, extension services, farmers, the supply chain, consumer organisations, etc. Communication with Commission,Member States and Parliament

What can we do to make IPM implementation to a success? –2- ICM ladder Example potatoes Step 1: wide crop rotation Step 2: mechanical weeding USE PART OF THE 40 BILLION EU CAP-MONEY FOR PAYING THE BEST PERFORMING IPM-FARMERS Step 4: use decision-support Step 3: resistant varieties Step 7: use plant strenghteners

What can we do to make IPM implementation to a success? –3- FARMERS TRADERS RETAILERS CONSUMERS PRICE NGOs add consumer trust Retail gives commercial signal Chain manager takes care of instruction and inspiration Involve the supply chain

What can we do to make IPM implementation to a success? –4- Make NAPs a success story: PAN-Europe developing an example NAP Stakeholders will be involved in every MS PAN-Europe could serve as central point for disseminating information on best practices, crop-specific methods & practices of IPM, and lobby for incentives like re- directing CAP & national campaigns

What can we do to make IPM implementation to a success? –5- Involve others by creating, - A good website - Organise field trips to best farmers - Comment publicly as a network on plans

How can IOBC be involved? 1. Join the network (expertise on IPM & communication to farmers) 2. Help connecting CAP money to best farmers in IPM (proposal, lobby) 3. Help stimulating supply chain to source from best farmers and reward them 4. Make NAPs a success (expertise) 5. Communication of success

THANKS FOR YOUR ATTENTION