The European crop protection industry has called for a new European partnership to protect important speciality fruit and vegetable crops.

At a meeting in Seville last week, agronomists and other stakeholders assessed EU legislative developments and the crop science needs of EU horticulture and agriculture under the auspices of the European Crop Protection Association (ECPA). They called on representatives from the food chain and on policy-makers to form a Europe-wide partnership to ensure these lower volume crops are not overlooked in the regulatory processes governing crop protection. A spokesperson for ECPA said: “The reality of market return versus the high costs of research and development does not hold a bright future for them at the moment. Speciality crops don’t cover a significant farmland area or product volume but are much valued in the diet of Europeans.”

The association is concerned for the future of asparagus, chicory, carrots, raspberries and cherries in particular.

Friedhelm Schmider, director-general of ECPA said; “Speciality crops constitute many staple fruits and vegetables which we enjoy regularly and have national and regional significance. Europe needs a comprehensive strategy to protect them so that sufficient specialised crop protection products are present in the farmer’s toolbox to combat the pests and disease that afflict these crops. We need the right team to work together to map out how to respond to these threats and ensure constant innovation to meet the challenges ahead.”

ECPA is proposing a co-ordinating body at European level to bring growers, the food-chain, national and regional governments together. Schmider said; “The crop science industry will aid and provide impetus so that this crucial approach becomes a reality.”