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A Future without Fungicides? - ‘Horticulture 2012’ will Address the Issues that Matter
- 14 September 2012
Over the last 70 years, agriculture and horticulture have benefitted greatly from the contribution of pesticides (including fungicides and other plant protection products) to improve crop yields and quality. However, recent changes to European legislation have placed much greater restrictions on the availability of these materials for use in modern commercial production.
Since 1993, the number of approved active substances for use on UK crops has fallen by 75 percent. These new limitations arise partly from public concern about possible residues in food and partly through long-term objectives on protecting water quality and the wider environment. The most recent EU approval regulations are more likely to make the registration process for new pesticide products even more expensive and challenging. This changing availability will have significant impacts on all areas of UK agriculture and horticulture.
Dr Jon Knight, the Head of Research and Development at the Horticulture Development Company, will be presenting a comprehensive talk on the implications of this new situation for those attempting to manage pests and diseases in horticulture.
His presentation is one in a series of seminar talks forming part of ‘Horticulture 2012’, to be held at CAFRE’s Greenmount Campus, Antrim, on Wednesday 19 September 2012. This one-day horticultural event will include a programme of technical and business development presentations, machinery demonstrations, tours and a trade exhibition running throughout the day.
Dr Knight will be discussing the possible strategies that lie ahead for those involved in production horticulture, with particular reference to the needs of the edible crops sectors.
He will address the serious issue of how to produce crops of acceptable quality while satisfying increased consumer demands with fewer conventional inputs. Jon’s presentation will incorporate the latest findings with respect to new formulations and novel application methods for agrochemicals, the role of naturally derived pest control products (including the use of bio-pesticides) and the continuing evolution of Integrated Pest (Crop) Management.
Source: DARD - A Future without Fungicides? - ‘Horticulture 2012’ will Address the Issues that Matter
