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What challenges should a grower anticipate when adopting
Integrated Pest Management (IPM)?
The present use of integrated pest management
(IPM) by cut flower growers relies a lot on the
use of beneficial organisms. When growers
strive towards reducing the number of crop
protection products, insects (e.g. aphids,
whitefly, western flower thrips), two-spotted
spider mites or diseases (e.g. powdery mildew,
grey mould) can potentially increase rendering
the produce unmarketable. It is therefore
imperative that growers clearly understand
the principles and concepts of IPM practice
when making decisions. The aim of IPM is to
use a combination of biological, cultural and
chemical tactics that reduce pests to tolerable
levels, with minimal effects on the environment.
IPM is a long-term control strategy. Growers
need to understand that biological control
is often a component of an IPM strategy and
it is not the same as replacing the use of
chemicals in pest and disease management. It
is a completely different approach that should
enable growers to deliver flowers which are
free from pests and diseases and meet the
quality standards as required by the retailers.
Integrated pest management is not just a tool
for responsible managers. When implementing
IPM strategies, a grower needs to change
from a reactive approach to a more proactive
approach and apply forethought when making
decisions. For IPM to be effective, a concerted
effort from all stakeholders within the farm is
necessary to ensure an efficient and effective
implementation. Anticipating the emergence
of secondary pests and disease challenges is an
aspect growers should take into consideration.
By continuously using more selective products,
a grower should expect a quick resurgence of
non-targeted pests as well as diseases. Growers
should have prior discussions with specialists
and experienced growers to gain more insights
before they commence IPM programs in their
farms.
With the current ongoing debate in Europe regarding the
use of neonicotinoid group of insecticides, what are the real
issues and facts?
Though the EU decision narrowed down
on the neonicotinoid group of products, the
overall scientific consensus is that the bee
health decline is caused by a multiple of
factors. Some of the factors that have been
suggested as contributing to the bee colony
collapse disorder (CCD) include the parasitic
varroa mites, viral diseases and stresses
related to environmental and climate changes.
However, no change has occurred to the EU
Maximum Residue Levels (MRL’s) for Actara
(Thiamethoxam). All uses in greenhouses and
foliar applications on all crops after flowering,
on vegetables harvested before flowering
(e.g. carrots, salads, radicchio, cabbage), on
potatoes, tomatoes are still permitted in the
EU even after the 30th of November 2013.
Within the EU, further discussions and public
opinions continue to be heard. With the
recent developments, this means that further
stringent registration requirements will be
defined through a legislative framework when
registering neonicotinoids hence companies
intending to register insecticides within the
neonicotinoid group have to deliver all the
required data for the dossiers according to
the official EPPO guidelines. The dossiers
will cover risks towards bumble bees and
other beneficials. However, the dossiers have
been challenged using a guideline which is
not yet accepted hence there still exists gaps
in the dossiers. Because of these gaps, the
precaution principle has been implemented
and restrictions have been put in place since
the end of 2013. This moratorium is not
applicable for covered crops and crops which
are harvested before flowering. However,
some retail organizations have applied
these restrictions to all cut flowers to avoid
dissentions and claims in spite of the fact that
use on covered crops is allowed.