PREFACE

The general aim of the symposium was to bring together specialists from various disciplines such as plant protection, physiology, pomology, breeding, etc. to discuss the various strategies of Integrated Fruit Production. To unify all strategies at one Symposium would have been too high a goal. However, a first step was realised. The participants of the symposium elaborated a statement which reflects common thoughts and facts. This statement is published at the end of the present volume.

Integrated Production is the use of genetic, agronomic, chemical and biological methods in an economical crop production system, which safeguards the environment and human health. This means that Integrated Production is much more than Integrated Pest Management. It includes breeding work, soil/water/light-management, appropriate machinery, marketing strategies and last but not least economical aspects. As long as the grower does not see any advantage in these methods, he will never use them. Integrated Fruit Production is not a system which can be practiced according to a certain recipe. It is a modern way of fruit production which has to be improved step by step and adapted to regional conditions.

Some international standards would however be very important. They could serve as guidelines to help both politicians in the legislation work and scientists as guideing data. The better the system, the better it will be accepted by society and the more necessary funds for further improvement will be allocated.

The participants of the symposium expressed the wish to continue their discussions. It was decided to organize a next symposium in England in 1991.

Walter Müller, Convenor


OPENING ADDRESS

This marks the first time that the ISHS has addressed "Integrated Fruit Production".

The attention this topic has recently come to command worldwide, has surprised many researchers, who are somewhat bewildered by the emotional appeal that the mass media, environmentalists and political parties have launched against conventional agriculture.

Integrated agriculture is not merely a simple compromise between the past and a future confronted by an impossible or an as yet unattainable 'organic farming'. It is rather the result of a knowlegeable and reasoned utilization of management techniques in an intensive farm and orchard industry striving to maintain its competitiveness in the international marketplace.

Historically, it is to integrated pest management, which originated 35 years ago in Germany but first extensively applied in Switzerland, that we owe our presence here today. And, by taking the term "integrated" and extending its meaning to the methods and means of crop growing, we have set an agenda that will survey Europe's efforts and its main lines of current research so as to redress the many years of silence surrounding this issue.

The distinguished scientists who have gathered here from many countries will present their experiences. Yet, lest it be forgotten, the world's confidence in science and in the sophisticated technology applied to agriculture can only be maintained if we are able to convince people that the ideas being advanced and the results they deliver are in the right.

We do indeed want to reduce chemical inputs when they are used to excess and when they endanger the ecosystem, the balance of nature and the health of growers and consumers alike. But we also want to be in the forefront of advances in fruit development and in the controlled use of soft technologies. They represent a viable alternative to the extend that they safeguard environmental resources as well as, and foremost, crop quality. "Produce less but produce better", cut back acreage where needed and reduce unit yields to stem the tide of surpluses are acceptable strategies so long as the result is a better quality product.

More and more consumers are free from compelling need and want. Sociological research surveys tell us that they purchase fruit because they choose to rather than have to. It is therefore a matter of educating consumer choice and establishing a solid reputation of health and quality for the fruit being marketed.

More and more researchers too are redirecting theirs efforts towards these high-priority goals. The task now is to coordinate this work, to strive for a common idiom, to bear in mind the collective responsibility inherent in this stage of transition and development in agriculture yet also firmly to resist and confront groundless accusations, as well as reject chimeric solutions.

It is my hope that a "manifesto" of acquired experience and future proposals will emerge from this Symposium. It should ideally be for dissemination among the public at large, or at any rate for a much wider audience than just the scientific community.

The world is watching, and we should be looking at it with a greater respect for nature. It is up to us to follow the lead of Francis Bacon, who stated over 350 years ago, "Nature can only be commanded by obeying it", and such modern mentors as the Nobel laureate Ilya Prigogine (1988), who have called for a renewed alliance between man and nature and a greater solidarity among living beings, beginning with our neighbour.

Permit me to conclude my remarks by extending to you the greeting of the ISHS Fruit Section, by thanking Dr. Walter Müller for his and his collaborators organising efforts, Dr. F. Lenz for his initiative and leadership, and by wishing everyone a successful Symposium.

Silviero Sansavini
I.S.H.S.-Fruit Section Chairman


INTRODUCTORY COMMENTS

I am particular thankful to Dr. Walter Müller, Dirictor of Eidgenossische Forschungsastalt für Obst-, Wein- und Gartenbau, Wadenswil, for about the invitation and the Excellent organization of this meeting about "Integrated Fruit Production".

He, Dr. Robert Schumacher and the Research Staff of Wadensweil have for quite a while tried to promote "Integrated Fruit Production" (IFP).

About 10 years ago several of us met at Wadenswil and two more meetings followed, stressing the importance of IFP. At that stage we were doubtful about tbe possibilities of intriducing the IFP-concept because there was little knowledge about its economical side. However, in the meantime fruit growers have accepted the terms although many of them are not sure wahat is involved.

altough several aspects of "Integrated Fruit Production" are under investigation the standard of detailed knowledge about it is still low. Therefore the concept og IFP is also a challenge for the European scientists in pomology to cooperate in finding methosds and strategies to reduce chemical input for orchards without economical losses. The meeting today may be seen as the beginning of such joint effort.

Fritz Lenz, President of the IFP-Working group