An agricultural Model Good for Pollinators: the way forward

Noa Simon Brussels, 6 Nov 2013

Why to question the agricultural model ?

 imbalance in the ecosystems and threats to ecosystem services, e.g. lack of pollinators, crashes in biodiversity (both species richness and population sizes)  chemical residues in foodstuffs  social and economical upheaval, e.g. decrease in the number of family farms, dependency of farmers on the agro chemical/seed industry, soaring production costs This system has not solved worldwide hunger and food insecurity

Bees - assessing environmental sustainability linked to farming practices © UNAAPI

Agricultural tools allowing intensive agriculture

Some examples:    Pesticides Genetic modification of organisms New technologies: nanotechnology, interfering RNAs, etc .

Double-edged weapons often presented as opportunities by their developers, which become counterproductive for sustainability WHY?

Because their logic goes against life

Pesticides Why to be concerned?

• TOXIC - more than 7 000 times more toxic to bees than DDT, effective at the level of nanograms/bee (0.000 000 001 g) – detection ? •

PREVENTIVE USE

• Chemical properties allow uses that enable WIDE DISTRIBUTION IN THE ENVIRONMENT – water, air, flowers... -

HIGHLY PERSISTENT

Why to promote bee-friendly agricultural models?

Because we need bees for our future

 They stimulate life (biodiversity and biodiversity stimulates their well-being)  They ensure long-term sustainability of food production – FOR FREE !!

What can be done?

Agrochemistry → Growing movement to use agronomic practices

  

Be consistent with the EU legislation and ensure a coherent farming policy CROP PROTECTION - FROM

ERRADICATION TO MANAGEMENT - Limit the use of pesticides (e.g. Integrated Pest Management, organic production, biological control, etc.) Elimination of preventive uses of chemicals

Incentivise farmers for NOT using

pesticides (e.g. Offer compensations in case o economic loss due to pests)



Recover agronomical knowledge: Enabling farmers to base their practices on facts INDEPENDENT training

programmes for farmers, agro technicians, agronomists and researchers

What can be done?

Create an effective platform to share information on alternatives Restrict the influence of pesticide producing industries No authorisation of techniques that cannot be adequately monitored or evaluated Support and fund independent and participatory research: to build the scientific foundations for a transition to fair and sustainable agricultural systems



Use of

resistant

crop varieties (e.g. Multi-resistant wheat)



Return of agronomic practices: Crop rotation, multi-cropping, stimulation of beneficial insects



Crops attractive to bees (e.g. pulses)

EBC proposes

A charter – For Sustainable Agriculture

and Countryside - For Pollinator friendly Farming: How can we 'Bee the change'?

 Proposals – Report « Pollinator

friendly farming is possible »

Thank you very much for your attention!

Bee-Life - European Beekeeping Coordination [email protected]

www.bee-life.eu