Spain: Biological pest control now 80% of greenhouse area

Date:06-12-2012

The delegate of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Jose Antonio Salinas, expects that the next campaign will see a "remarkable" increase of the area cultivated with tomatoes under biological control, according to what was said last week at the closing ceremony of the II Conference of Biological Control in the Greenhouse and Tomato Situation and perspective, organized by the Cajamar Foundation, Coexphal and Agrobío.

Biological control for pests in Almeria's fruit and vegetable sector grew this season by 20,750 hectares, representing almost 80% of the greenhouse area and strengthens the province as the leader in Spain in the application of these methods of farming, which are more environmentally friendly and increasingly valued and demanded by consumers. Pepper is the vegetable with the largest area treated with this method of cultivation, over 7,100 hectares.

The delegate of Agriculture has valued the commitment of Almeria's horticulture sector for their commitment to these methods of crop protection and encourages the sector to continue showing efforts to ensure that 100% of the products are grown with biological control, "a practice that besides ensuring that products are safe and of good quality, helps to reinforce the image of our fruits and vegetables."