ISHS Acta Horticulturae 347: II International Symposium on Integrated Fruit Production
INTEGRATED FRUIT PRODUCTION IN GERMANY |
| Author: | E. Jörg |
| Abstract:
It was at the beginning of the 1980s that German fruit growers first began to practice integrated pest management (IPM) in their orchards and since 1989 IPM methods have been introduced into practice on a wide scale. In most of the fruit growing regions fruit grower organisations for implementing and coordinating IFP were founded in 1990 or 1991, and the marketing of "IFP" apples started in 1990. In 1992 almost 5,000 fruit growers are taking part in integrated fruit production on about 28,000 ha. Of this total the most important is the apple production on 22,000 ha, although 500 ha of pears are also grown according to the rules of IFP. In some regions integrated production of sour and sweet cherries and plums has also started. The guidelines for German integrated fruit production are set out in the "Richtlinie für den kontrollierten, integrierten Anbau von Obst in der Bundesrepublik Deutschland". Each fruit growing region has established its own regional guidelines based on, but more specific and restrictive than, the national guidelines. An appendix to the national guidelines containing the plant protection products allowed in integrated fruit production is revised annually. Integrated fruit production is supervised quite strictly and in 1992 the checking procedures will be harmonised throughout Germany. All of the field booklets of each of the IFP-farmers are checked and 20% of the farms are inspected (orchard inspection, spraying machines etc). Fruit samples are taken from 10% of the farms for residue analyses. The checking of the field booklets and farm inspections are carried out by members of the advisory service/plant protection service or by fruit growers. In some cases there are "controlling commissions" consisting of members of both groups. Generally, there is excellent cooperation between the growers organisations and the advisory service concerning the fruit production techniques. However, when IFP production first began the marketing organisers created some problems by trying to avoid the separate marketing of conventional fruits and "IFP" fruits. IFP is now accepted by the marketing organisations and they are demanding that IFP shall be the standard method of production. However, unfortunately, there is little financial support or other kind of assistance for IFP development forthcoming from the marketing organisations. In some of the fruit growing regions financial support is given by the government. | |
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