Report from the Sub-committee on Agriculture

Contents

Preface

Summary

1 Introduction
1.1 Mandate for the Sub-committee on Agriculture

2 Composition of the subcommittee

3 Scenarios analysed
3.1 Total Phase-out of pesticides
3.2 Partial phase-out of pesticides

4 Definition of the work and general assumptions for the analysis
4.1 Definition of the work
4.2 Assumptions for the sub-committee’s work

5 Present agricultural production
5.1 Different types of  farm
5.2 Crop Yields in present production
5.3 Pests and pesticide consumption of the present cultivation systems
5.4 Annual variations in pest attack and possibility of determing the need for control
5.5 Losses as a consequence of pests in the present and alternative scenarios
5.5.1 Method for calculating losses
5.5.2 Method for estimating total losses
5.6 Variation in yield level in present production
5.7 Pattern of consumption in other countries
5.8 Conclusion concerning present production

6 Present production in market gardening and fruit growing
6.1 Outdoor vegetables and garden seed
6.2 Fruit and berry growing
6.3 Nurseries
6.4 Greenhouse production
6.5 Conclusion

7 Present production in forestry
7.1 Present production and use of pesticides
7.2 Wood-producing forestry
7.3 Ornamental greenery
7.4 Conclusion

8 Alternative methods of controlling and preventing pests
8.1 Prevention and control of fungal diseases
8.1.1 Possibilities with resistance and breeding
8.1.2 Possibilities offered by cultural practices
8.1.3 Perspectives
8.1.4 Conclusions
8.2 Seed-borne diseases
8.2.1 Present situation
8.2.2 Possibilities of prevention and control without pesticides
8.2.3 Perspectives
8.2.4 Conclusions
8.3 Control of pests
8.3.1 Pest-resistant varieties
8.3.2 Alternative methods
8.3.3 Perspectives
8.3.4 Conclusion
8.4 Prevention and mechanical control of weeds
8.4.1 Present knowledge
8.4.2 Effect on the seed pool
8.4.3 Weed problems in vegetable production
8.4.4 Control of Couch grass without pesticides
8.4.5 Perspectives
8.4.6 Conclusion
8.5 Alternative methods for growth regulation
8.5.1 Growth regulation in cereals
8.5.2 Growth regulation in seed grass
8.5.3 Growth regulation in pot plants
8.5.4. Conclusion
8.6 Biological control
8.6.1 Present use and potential in greenhouses
8.6.2 Future perspectives in greenhouses
8.6.3 Biological and microbiological prevention and control in fields
8.6.4 Perspectives for field use
8.6.5 Possibility of using plant extracts and similar
8.6.6 Conclusion
8.7 Effect of alternative methods on the need for nutrients
8.8 Use of damage thresholds
8.8.1 Weeds
8.8.2 Diseases and pests
8.8.3 Potential for use of damage thresholds
8.8.4 Perspectives
8.8.5 Site-specific plant protection
8.8.6 Conclusion
8.9 Use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs)
8.9.1 Present situation
8.9.2 Future perspectives
8.9.3 Conclusion
8.10 Possibility of new spraying techniques reducing pesticide consumption and undesirable environmental techniques
8.10.1 Use of new spraying technology to reduce pesticide consumption
8.10.2 Possibility of reducing drift by the choice of spraying method
8.10.3 Possibility of reducing point-source contamination with pesticides
8.10.4 Conclusion
8.11 New pesticides
8.11.1 Herbicides
8.11.2 Fungicides
8.11.3 Insecticides
8.11.4 Conclusion

9 Total phase-out of pesticides in agriculture - 0-scenario
9.1 Assumptions
9.2 Loss sizes in a 0-scenario
9.3 Total crop changes in a 0-scenario
9.4 Overall changes in production quantities
9.5 Evaluation of the economically potimised 0-scenario
9.6 Use of alternative methods of control
9.7 Uncertainties and difficulties in a O-scenario
9.8 Results of trials without pesticides
9.9 Conclusion concerning 0-scenario

10 Partial phasing out of pesticides in agriculture
10.1 Description of intermediate scenarios
10.2 0+scenario (almost total phase-out)
10.3 +scenario (limited use)
10.4 ++scenario
10.5 Evaluation of intermediate scenarios that are economically optimised
10.6 Documentation from field trials and experience from farmers’ groups show that a 50% reduction is possible
10,7 Control of application in different scenarios
10.8 Overall evaluation of the scenarios for total and partial phase-out
10.9 Conclusions concerning the intermediate scenarios

11 Total or partial phase-out of pesticides in market gardening
11.1 Outdoor vegetables
11.1.1 0-scenario
11.1.2 Intermediate scenarios for outdoor vegetables
11.2 Fruit and berries
11.2.1 0-scenario
11.2.2 Intermediate scenarios for fruit and berry production
11.3 Greenhouse production
11.3.1 The 0-scenario
11,3,2 Intermediate scenarios for greenhouse production
11.4 Nursery cultures
11.4.1 The 0-scenario
11.4.2 Intermediate scenarios for nursery cultures
11.5 Conclusions concerning total and partial phasing out of pesticides in market gardening

12 Total or partial phasing out of pesticides in forestry
12.1 Wood producing forestry
12.2 Afforestation
12.3 Ornamental greenery
12.4 Furture perspectives
12.5 Conclusions concerning total/partial phasing out of pesticides in forestry

13 Perspectives and conclusions
13.1 Present level of knowledge
13.2 Research and development
13.3 Advice and training
13.4 The Sub-committee’s conclusions

APPENDIX  I

APPENDIX II