Report from the Sub-committee on Agriculture

Preface

The Sub-committee on Agriculture, which is part of the Bichel Committee, was appointed in autumn 1997 to assess the agricultural consequences of phasing out the use of pesticides. This report is a result of those assessments and is one of five technical background reports that form the basis for the Bichel Committee's final report to the Minister of Environment and Energy.

The other four background reports cover: the consequences for environment and health, production and economy, the consequences for the economy and employment, the legal possibilities of phasing out the use of pesticides and, lastly, the overall consequences of a total switch to organic farming.

This is the first time in Denmark - and probably also internationally - that such an extensive interdisciplinary analysis has been conducted of the consequences for agriculture of the total or partial phasing-out of pesticide use and of a total restructuring for organic production.

The sub-committee has proposed cultivation systems for agriculture in connection with a total and partial phasing-out of pesticides and has found that a total phase-out or very limited use will require major changes in crop rotations. Even with an adjustment of the regimes, there will be a substantial reduction in the yield for many crops – and particularly for special crops. Within market gardening and fruit growing, the knowledge base is weaker than for farming proper, and this has made it far more difficult to carry out analyses in this sector.

The sub-committee has analysed a number of alternative, non-chemical methods for combating diseases, pests and weeds. Several of these methods already have a considerable potential for use, while others require further research and development to become real alternatives.

The sub-committee has based its report on a number of consultants' reports. The consultants, the members of the sub-committee and the secretariat have all made a major contribution to the creation of the report, and we take this opportunity to thank everyone concerned for their good work.