LEAF audit re-launch
LEAF (Linking Environment and Farming) allows
farmers to develop integrated crop management. Backed by the pesticides
industry, it currently has 24 demonstration farms that receive 5,000 visitors
per year.
The main yardstick for measuring the
effectiveness of LEAF has been a self assessment audit carried out by the
farmers. In 1996, 110 farmers carried out the LEAF audit that included an area
of 47,702 ha. This accounts for 0.5% of UK farmland and 0.8% of UK arable land.
Most (95%) were arable farmers. After analysing the audits, LEAF produced a list
of 14 'priorities for action,' a number of which related to pesticides:
developing a pesticide policy;
better disposal of containers and plastics;
improving selection of chemicals and their effect on non target species;
improving washing/rinsing of sprayers.
In April LEAF re-launched the audit in an attempt
to make it more user-friendly. The new audit has seven modules allowing farmers
to concentrate on key areas.
The journal Farmers Weekly commented farmers may feel that
they need more guidance, especially about the use of non-chemical pest control
and practices to encourage biodiversity and natural biological control.
Focus on Farming Practice
Focus on Farming Practice (FOFP) project, set up by
CWS Agriculture (the UK's largest farming enterprise), has released new results.
FOFP compares integrated practices with conventional arable farming, and
attempts to reduce pesticide and other inputs. During 1996, the conventional
crop received 28 doses in the season. However, with management input and
practical field experience the amount of active ingredient applied was
equivalent to only 18 doses, a 36% reduction over the manufacturer's
recommended rate.
LIFE project
At a recent Society of Chemical Industry meeting, Dr
Vic Jordan of Long Ashton Research Station presented his latest results from the
LIFE (Less Intensive Farming and Environment) pilot farm project. For the
1995-96 season, the integrated arable system used 56% less herbicides, 77% less
fungicides, 72% less insecticides and 100% less plant growth regulators compared
with a conventional system. The profitability of the integrated lower input
system was increased by 5%.
At the same meeting, Dr David Glen of Long Ashton discussed
the difficulty of identifying the effects of pesticides on invertebrate natural
enemies. He said: "Broad spectrum insecticides and mollusicides applied in the
autumn have been shown to reduce numbers of predators (of pests) active in the
soil surface." This means farmers will find it difficult to make
environmentally optimum pesticide choices. (DB)
[This
article first appeared in Pesticides News No. 36,
June 1997, page 14]