Symposium "Feeding Europe while reducing pesticide dependency" (2015)

The 4th edition of the Symposium, hosted by Pavel Poc, Member of the European Parliament, and co-organized by Euro Coop, Greenpeace, IBMA, IOBC-WPRS and PAN Europe, took place on the 19th November. Experts shared their experience on the growing demand and market for non-chemical tools as alternatives to pesticides in pest management. Farmers, scientists, industry, NGOs and co-operative retailers presented insights and ways forward to significantly reduce pesticide dependency. This year the symposium also addressed the economic opportunities that reducing pesticide dependency provides, as well as presented concrete and promising changes to move from intensive apple production to sustainable apple growing. In addition, participants discussed the progress and limitations of Member States’ implementation of the EU Directive on Sustainable Use of Pesticides (SUPD; EC/128/2009).

View the programme and the biographies of the speakers and conclusion of the Chairman:

Chaired by Michael Hamell, Professor of Agriculture, University College Dublin:

  • Welcome by Pavel Poc, member of the European Parliament and by Michael Hamell.

Pesticide policies, testimonies from EU and national institutions:

Sustainability and innovation, a business perspective:

Sustainable use of pesticides as a growth podel for Europe:

Debate with MEPs Pavel Poc, Jytte Guteland and Damiano Zoffoli.

Towards sustainable apple growing - current reality and farmers' success stories:

Debate with MEPs Herbert Dorfmann, Marco Zullo, and European Commission DG Agriculture representative Alessandro Rossi - Unit on horticultural products.

Implementation of the sustainable use directive:

Debate with MEPs Karin Kadenbach, Pavel Poc, Rosa d'Amato, and European Commission DG Health representative Patrizia Pitton.

Conclusions by Michael Hamell.

Related information: Public conference organised by the Greens/EFA Why Soil matters? A European perspective on 18 November.

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Pesticide Action Network Europe (PAN Europe) gratefully acknowledges the financial support from the European Union, European Commission, DG Environment, LIFE programme. Sole responsibility for this publication lies with the authors and the funders are not responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained herein.