INTEGRATED FRUIT PRODUCTION IN HUNGARY

• Between 5% and 6% of growers take part in IFP schemes.
• Between 7% and 8% of the fruit growing area (3000 ha) follows IFP standards
• IFP-produced fruits are mainly apples and pears, but there are also some sweet cherries, sour cherries and grapes.
• IFP production is carried out in the main 4 – 5 fruit growing regions of Hungary; the main area is Szabolcs-Szatmar-Bereg region in the north east of Hungary.
• The national guidelines have been worked out on the basis of the IOBC recommendations. There are, however, some modifications which take account of differences in the domestic soil and climatic conditions. For instance, use cannot be made of unirrigated grass swards because of the climate. Also, the range of beneficial organisms used differs from that used in western Europe; Zetzelia mali is the primary mite parasite, not Typhlodromus pyri.
• A special IFP label will be introduced this year for most areas.
• Implementation of IFP was aided initially by the Plant Protection Organisation and the Fruit Growers Organisation plans to join this year. Research Institutes also participate but commercial organisations do not see, at the moment, any market opportunities to exploit. The Hungarian government gives the IFP growers a 50% tax reduction.
• IFP is controlled by the Plant Protection Organisation and certificates for tax reduction are issued by this organisation. Sampling and quality tests are also made by this organisation and also by research institutes.
• Advice on IFP production technology is given by reseachers and on pest management issues by the plant protection stations.
• IFP experiments conducted last year included work on technology, forecasting, variety tests, bacterial formulations, and beneficial organisms. With increasing privatisation of fruit production in Hungary there are needs for new advisory services, marketing research, varieties suited to particular regions and a trade mark.
• Product analyses are undertaken by 4 internationally-recognised GLP laboratories.
• The attitude of growers to IFP is very good.
• IFP guidelines are published in the Official Journal of the Ministry of Agriculture. A growers handbook is also being prepared.

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