Biodiversity
Agriculture and biodiversity must coexist. The crop protection industry develops products and best management practices which support agricultural productivity and sustainable practices.
The European Crop Protection Association (ECPA) is committed to enhancing biodiversity and natural habitats within farming landscapes, using industry expertise in plant protection and agricultural practices to promote local harmony between nature and agriculture.
ECPA will be working on six interconnected projects, focused on delivering and demonstrating the crop protection industry’s commitment to biodiversity. These projects seek greater cooperation with stakeholders and will be implemented in an inclusive and transparent manner, adopting peer reviewing methodology to support the credibility of the industry. The Association aim to promote the benefits of crop protection products, and offer best management practices for enhancing biodiversity.
Our projects
DEMO FARMS
This project will see the establishment of a European network of farms / sites to demonstrate and showcase Best Management Practices (BMPs) and the benefits of crop protection products for enhancing biodiversity and productivity.
BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES (BMPs)
We will collate a peer reviewed set of best management practices, each selected for their ease of implementation and effectiveness. The BMPs will be rolled-out across Europe with guidance for farmers and training for crop protection company Sales and Marketing staff.
MULTI-FUNCTIONAL FIELDMARGINS
This flagship BMP project will offer scope for the showcasing of several existing crop protection company initiatives; not least for demonstrating industry commitment and involvement in pollinator and wider biodiversity issues.
TRAINING
To encourage the uptake of Best Management Practices, we will deliver training, tailored specially for crop protection company Sales and Marketing staff. Training modules will benefit from evidence and lessons learned from the other biodiversity projects.
INDICATORS
We’ll also be drafting a peer reviewed guide on indicators for farmland biodiversity; they will be selected for ease of use in their measurement and monitoring on the farm.
