Agriculture has become a problem child throughout Europe, because climate change and its consequences are being exacerbated by spreading pests. The problem is that at the beginning of the 2000s, there were still over 1000 active ingredients available to combat them. Today, there are only 245 synthetic chemical agents and 77 organisms available for all of crop production. The situation in arable farming is particularly worrying. In the EU, only 153 fungicides, insecticides and herbicides are authorised for use on crops.

What may sound like a lot is in fact an extremely small number. To prevent resistance, at least three functioning mechanisms of action are needed against each individual pathogen. This is not the case for many crops. As a result, they are becoming increasingly difficult to cultivate, are being grown on smaller and smaller areas, and this contributes to the impoverishment of crop rotation, which in turn increases the pressure from pests.

Signals at EU level

The further trend also gives little hope: by 2035, about 40% of the still available chemical-synthetic active ingredients could be lost. In addition, biological alternatives, which would be an important addition, are only coming along slowly. They go through the same approval process and are stuck in the approval backlog.

This is putting an enormous brake on innovation. This is the reason why the EU Commission has not achieved its goals, because innovation is the number one driver of a reduction in the use of pesticides while ensuring sustainable production. The figures speak for themselves: thanks to improved formulations, better active ingredients and better technology, application rates – i.e. the amount of active ingredient used per hectare – have been reduced by over 90 per cent since the 1960s. In Austria, the amount of active ingredient marketed has fallen by 22 per cent in ten years.

The toolbox of integrated pest management makes an important contribution. It enables good harvests while reducing the use of operating resources. Chemical and biological plant protection products are only used when measures such as variety and site selection, mechanical and physical methods, etc. have failed and an economic damage threshold is exceeded, justifying their use. The motto is: ‘As little as possible, as much as necessary.’

The manufacturers of crop protection products are doing their part and have committed themselves to investing a total of 14 billion euros in the development of precision farming methods and organic crop protection by 2030. However, constantly changing regulations in Europe prevent planning and legal certainty, which is why many active ingredients are not approved.

The EU Commission has now announced a change of direction. There is talk of a modern authorisation system that is to be adapted for alternative active substances, as well as of more support for businesses and a strengthening of the agricultural sector.

And that brings us to the future of agriculture and a common vision of crop production. The question is how we will keep plants healthy in the future so that they can provide their services to the general public: self-sufficiency in safe, high-quality food, habitat for animals and a high level of biodiversity, a contribution to energy system transformation, regional value creation and, above all, economically successful agricultural businesses.

New measures

The IGP has launched a discussion process with over 50 representatives from 24 organisations. The result is a common vision and a variety of measures in nine areas:

1. a relationship with consumers based on trust, who, by buying domestic products, demand sustainable management and support Austrian farmers

2. authentic communication and information to increase consumer knowledge, which should also be addressed in school education; the basis is a uniform and easily understandable labelling of origin

3. education and advice for companies

4. regional action to contribute to value creation, jobs and attractive regions, as well as cooperation between businesses

5. research and science, which will find optimal framework conditions

6. environmental and climate protection through the targeted promotion of measures

7. integrated crop production, which is based on comprehensive research in all areas and the smart use of technology, digitalisation and plant protection products

8. solidarity within the value chain

9. a future- and goal-oriented agricultural policy that closely involves farms and research as experts, guarantees a secure income and ensures the competitiveness of farmers in the international market.

This is what is needed for an agricultural sector that benefits everyone in Austria and has their support. The vision is on the table and should now be followed by an intensive dialogue between as many agricultural stakeholders as possible to fine-tune it. After all, it is about the crop production of tomorrow and what will be on our plates tomorrow and in what quality.