New European IPM research project launched

A new European research project on Integrated Pest Management (IPM) was launched in March 2011. PURE (Pesticide Use-and-risk Reduction in European farming systems with IPM) takes research work initiated in ENDURE one step further. PURE focuses on the systems approach started by ENDURE, examining the role of larger spatial (cropping system) and temporal (multi-year) scales in crop protection.

PURE will develop field-tested practical solutions, new knowledge and a research toolbox for more sustainable approaches to crop protection.
ENDURE supported the creation of a Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) topic on IPM research at the farming systems level and will collaborate with PURE to communicate on its results.

ENDURE will also monitor the non-technical barriers identified by PURE’s work with stakeholders and will raise these issues in the appropriate forums. For example, although diversifying rotations is known to be an essential lever to create more robust cropping systems, the new crops inserted into the rotation require new know-how, incentives or markets. Similarly, resistant grape varieties exist but cannot always be used due to old legislation originally designed to protect wine quality.

The IPM solutions emerging from PURE will need to be used within an innovation process through which farmers work closely with advisers to adopt, fine-tune and adjust new practices. Advisers naturally play a key role in this process and ENDURE is currently developing initiatives to strengthen the role of advisers in promoting IPM.

PURE involves a diversity of researchers and relevant key actors in pest management: farmers, farm advisers, policy advisers, and other stakeholders in the food supply chain. It brings together 21 partners from research, industry, extension and education covering 11 European countries. It is coordinated by INRA (National Institute for Agricultural Research, France).

PURE: a new impulse for IPM implementation in Europe

In March the new FP7 EU project – PURE – was launched. PURE is a research project on Integrated Pest Management and will be providing field-tested practical IPM solutions, new knowledge and a research toolbox for IPM. PURE combines and involves researchers and all relevant key actors in pest management: farmers, farm advisers, policy advisers, and other stakeholders in the food supply chain.

PURE stands for “Pesticide Use-and-risk Reduction in European farming systems with integrated pest management”. It is one of the largest EU-financed projects in the Seventh Framework Programme. The total investment amounts to over 12 million euros over four years. Besides other universities and institutes, the PURE consortium includes industrial and advisory organisations from 10 European countries. The research will focus on the key European farming systems: annual arable and vegetable crops, perennial fruit crops, grapevine and protected crops in greenhouses, in which reduction of pesticide use and better control of pests will have major effects at the European scale.

PURE is developing and integrating existing and new knowledge. Risks, costs and benefits of different methods are compared, converted into models, and possible new solutions in the form of management strategies, biological and mechanical control methods will be tested under field conditions. An eye will be kept on economic and cultural aspects. A unique aspect of the project is the collaboration and consultation with all stakeholders: farmers and growers, industry and other chain partners such as buyers and retail organisations. The results of PURE will contribute to the  implementation of the national action plans that European countries have to draw up to meet the requirements of the EU Framework Directive on the sustainable use of pesticides.

Over four years, PURE is expected to generate acceptable and sustainable solutions for farmers and growers in controlling pests and diseases in cropping systems including wheat, maize, field and greenhouse vegetables, and fruit.

The kick-off meeting of the PURE project took place in Avignon, France, at the end of March. In June, the PURE website will be launched.