- The event marked another step forward in IPMWORKS’ policy engagement activities, led by CIHEAM Zaragoza
On 15 January 2025, IPMWORKS, together with MEP Christophe Clergeau, organised the European Policy Seminar “Supporting farmers to reduce pesticide use through effective implementation of Integrated Pest Management (IPM)”.
This event marked another step forward in IPMWORKS’ policy engagement activities, led by CIHEAM Zaragoza. A total of 70 participants attended in person, while more than 140 registered online. The event also featured the active participation of six members of the European Parliament (MEPs) and representatives of the European Commission.
The seminar began with opening remarks from MEP Christophe Clergeau, who discussed ways to improve IPM agricultural extension and management practices to reduce pesticide use in line with the Sustainable Use of Pesticides Directive (SUD).
“The IPM approach is, per se, a solution and we need to determine how we could make a package out of it with a view to have it adopted and then we'll have to see how to support farmers, which will be of paramount importance. Farmers need direct financial support, with a view to switch to another model and get some compensation in terms of cost.”
“Regarding specification / labels, we need an independent committee as a standalone group which would be completely independent from the agrochemical industries.”
Christophe Clergeau, MEP
IPMWORKS Project Coordinator Nicolas Munier-Jolain (INRAE) presented a holistic approach to IPM for pesticides reduction.
“Although some pioneer farmers are in favour of IPM solutions, they are probably not widely adopted, simply because there is a lack of economic incentives. Therefore, we believe that it is possible to change farmers' practices at the European level, as long as we are able to identify solutions that facilitate the adoption of these new practices, so that farmers do not see them as a constraint, but as an economic opportunity.”
“The IPMWORKS approach working with farmers and based on peer-to-peer exchanges proved to be efficient to promote IPM, and should be extended after the end of this H2020 project, with much more hubs of demo farms in all regions of EU.”
Nicolas Munier-Jolain, IPMWORKS Project Coordinator
The second session, chaired by Joaquín Balduque (CIHEAM Zaragoza), addressed how IPM can be boosted through basic IPM principles. Shay Phelan (TEAGASC) exposed how to deliver on IPM management practices for farmers through advisory and extension support.
“It's important that in TEAGASC, as a completely independent advisory body entity, we can work exclusively without influence from any chemical companies in terms of how we can implement IPM on farms. One of the most important parts of any advisory service is identify demonstration farms, which are critical for any success of any IPM project to demonstrate the IPM tools and techniques on farm in real-world situations. Peer-to-peer learning is hugely important for the adoption of any practice, because you need to see it on your own level, on your own terms, in somebody's farm or situation that's quite similar to yours. That's not a research centre that's hundreds of kilometres away.”
“From the perspective of the advisory service's role, we need to be able to show farmers that IPM practices are sustainable not only from the environment point of view but also financially from a farmer's own point of view that they are financially sustainable as well. Ultimately, farmers are concerned, obviously, about the environment but they're also concerned about their own profitability and sustainability of the farm.”
Shay Phelan, TEAGASC/IPMWORKS
Mark Ramsden (ADAS) presented improved digital decisions for improved crop protection (DSSs tools).
“Decision Support Systems and other digital tools for IPM are effective, but uptake across Europe is being hindered by that lack of access, a lack of transparency about what the assumptions and limitations of individual tools are, a lack of validation of DSSs in different regions, and a lack of demonstration of the benefits. We’ve made some really good strong steps forwards over the last few years on these points but we need to keep going. We don't want this to be limited to project by project progress, this needs to be a pan-European drive to coordinate and advance efforts.”
“The range of systems available, their independent validation and demonstration need to be improved. That requires a fair amount of technical knowledge and support. Advisors and farmers across Europe see projects come and go, so it's quite difficult for them to engage in a long-term initiative. We need to make sure that these decision support systems are something that are seen as a long-term effort embedded into holistic IPM approaches.”
Mark Ramsden, ADAS, IPMWORKS, and IPM Decisions Coordinator
A round table on the future of IPM, chaired by Alun Jones (CIHEAM Zaragoza) and with the participation of the MEPs, was held at the end of the seminar, assessing if SUD and its present IPM practices will be sufficient to reach the European Union’s commitments on pesticides reduction.
“I would like to have a joint conference from the ENVI and AGRI committees with Commissioner Hansen to talk about biocontrol and the alternatives to pesticides and with the European Biotech Act presenting a research program and roadmap in order to put forward the biocontrol and alternatives to pesticides. We should also have a IPM European initiative. IPMWORKS momentum must be maintained, you need to be able to keep on working. This requires funding.”
“We will need to wait for the next reform of the CAP in order to have powerful financial tools for support of farmers. But on advice, on positive communication, we need to up the pace quite soon. With the support from the EESC and the Committee of the Regions we may make progress so that we have concrete improvements now and not in a few years after the negotiations of new legislations in 2027.”
Christophe Clergeau, MEP
The seminar was a great success in bringing together pivotal actors and stakeholders, alongside EU policymakers, to address support and incentives for farmers to make the sustainable use of pesticides a reality on all farms. The seminar highlighted that collaborative efforts are crucial and that IPM has immense potential to enhance the sustainability of agriculture.
Now is the time to look forward to progress in IPM implementation in the EU. There was wide agreement on the necessity of revising and adapting the SUD dossier to support farmers in applying sustainable agricultural practices through effective implementation of IPM.
CIHEAM Zaragoza, as co-organiser of the seminar, thanks MEP Christophe Clergeau and his team, IPMWORKS Project Coordinator Nicolas Munier-Jolain for his leadership, as well as all the IPMWORKS colleagues, EU Commission members, and everyone who participated, both in the EU Parliament and online.
Click below to listen the full discussion:
Participants at the seminar
MEPs:
• Christophe Clergeau MEP – S&D, ENVI
• Herbert Dorfmann MEP – EPP, AGRI
• Esther Herranz García MEP – EPP, Vice-Chair of ENVI
• Martin Häusling MEP – Greens/EFA, ENVI & AGRI
• Martin Hojsík MEP – RENEW, ENVI
• Eric Sargiacomo MEP – S&D, AGRI
European Commission members:
• DG SANTE, Pilar Aguar Fernández, Director F Health and Food Audits and Analysis
• DG AGRI, María Gafo Gómez-Zamalloa, Acting Head of Unit Social sustainability
IPMWORKS partners:
• Nicolas Munier-Jolain, Project Coordinator – INRAE
• Alun Jones – CIHEAM Zaragoza
• Joaquín Balduque – CIHEAM Zaragoza
• Shay Phelan – TEAGASC
• Mark Ramsden – ADAS
Other speakers:
• José Manuel Roche Ramo – UPA Spain (Member of the European Economic and Social Committee)
• Paula de Vera – COPA-COGECA
• Nicolas De Menten – Fytofend
• Eric Gall – IFOAM
• Peter Hloben – CEMA