GLOBALGAP tour 2009, Athens Greece. Presentation about new strategies growers need to develop concerning crop protection, based on Integrated Crop Management, costs & environment sustainability.

1. Growers Approaching
different Residues
Restrictions
Vassily Haitas - agronomist, MSc
Christina Papaioannou - t. agronomist
Agritex Energy S.A.
Athens, 11th November 2009

2. MRLs STATUS
MRLs worldwide
Common MRLs in E.U. since 2008 (Regulation 396/2005)
Different MRLs worldwide
Special demands by Russia (Memorandum 01/07/2008)
Possible special demands by Supermarkets
Trends in MRLs legislation
Decrease MRLs limits
Withdraw of active ingredients

3. Residue Restrictions impact to
growers
Marketing wise
convenient trade between EU countries
special demands by non EU countries or
S/M
→ settle a MRLs policy for constant
clients
→ settle a “case study” for possible
new clients

4. Residue Restrictions impact to
growers
Growing wise
Less active ingredients
Increased use of natural enemies
Improve precautionary measures
Apply GAP
increased importance of IPM

5. Memorandum between Russia
and E.U. for MRLs restriction
Started on 01/07/2008
Exports to Russia following Russian MRLs
Pesticide Statement required, showing all
pesticide treatments
In case of non compliance : request of safety
certificate and test report (residue analysis) by
laboratory per shipment
Laboratories used approved by Russia

6. Memorandum between Russia
and E.U. for MRLs restriction
Due to repeated non-compliance, since 15/06/2009 obligatory safety
certificates and test reports for :
Belgium – pears
Bulgaria – grapes, peaches, marrows, apricots
Germany – apples
Greece – grapes, peaches, nectarines, oranges, mandarins, apples,
strawberries
Hungary – apples, cabbage, plums
Italy – grapes, apples, pears
The Netherlands – apples, beetroot, cabbage, carrots, tomatoes, tangerines,
onion, potatoes, radish, eggplant
Poland – strawberry, cherries, tomatoes
Portugal – pears
Slovakia – grapes, tangerines
Spain – peaches, nectarines, mandarins, oranges, grapefruit, pears, lemons

7. Memorandum between Russia
and E.U. for MRLs restriction
Problems for the Greek growers
Undecided sales at Russian clients
Insufficient number of approved laboratories
(6-7)
High cost for residue analysis (residue
analysis/shipment: 0,15 €/kg)

8. Case I : develop an MRL strategy
Requires : Constant clients
Strategy development before planting
Factors :
Known MRL demands
Side effects to bumblebees-beneficial insects
Compliance to IPM
Cost

9. Example: Selecting a pesticide
against greenhouse whitefly on
tomato for clients in E.U., Russia,
U.S.A.

10. Step 1. exclude pesticides not allowed
Active ingredient E.U. MRLs Russian
Russian U.S.A. Settled
MRLs MRLs MRLs
acetamiprid 0,1 0,3 0,2 0.1
bifenthrin 0,2 0,4 0,15 0.15*
cypermethrin 0,5 0,2 0,2 0.2*
flucythrinate 0,05 0 0 0
imidacloprid 0,5 0,1 1 0.1*
oxamyl 0,02 0,5 2 0.02
pymetrozine 0,5 0 0,2 0
pyrethrins 1 0 1 0
pyriproxyfen 1 0,2 0,2 0.2*
spiromesifen 1 0 0,45 0
teflubenzuron 1 0 0 0
thiacloprid 0,5 0 0 0
thiamethoxam 0,2 0,2 0,25 0.2
Verticillium lecanii - - - -
* PHI: trials, followed by residues analysis for each harvesting day

11. Step 2. exclude pesticides effecting bumblebees
Active ingredient E.U. Russian
Russian U.S.A. Settled Bumblebees*
MRLs MRLs MRLs MRLs side effects
acetamiprid 0,1 0,3 0,2 0.1 ←
bifenthrin 0,2 0,4 0,15 0.15* X
cypermethrin 0,5 0,2 0,2 0.2* X
imidacloprid 0,5 0,1 1 0.1* X
oxamyl 0,02 0,5 2 0.02 X
pyriproxyfen 1 0,2 0,2 0.2* Λ
thiamethoxam 0,2 0,2 0,25 0.2 X
← Remove
Verticillium - - - - Λ
lecanii X Incompatible
Λ Cover
* Bumblebees: used for pollination

12. Step 3. evaluate effect on beneficial insects
Active ingredient E.U. Russian
Russian U.S.A. Settled Bumble M.c.*
M.c.* E.f. *
E.f. E.e.*
E.e.*
MRLs MRLs MRLs MRLs bees side side effects side effects side effects
effects
acetamiprid 0,1 0,3 0,2 0.1 ← ? 50-75%
50-
mortality in
pupa, up to
75% mortality
in adult
pyriproxyfen 1 0,2 0,2 0.2* Λ Up to 25% Up to 75% 50-75% killing
50-
killing in killing in pupa,
pupa, in pupa,
pupa,
nymph and Up to 25% 25-50% killing
25-
adult killing in adult in adult
Verticillium - - - - Λ Up to 25% Up to 25% Up to 25%
killing in killing in pupa killing in pupa
lecanii nymph and and adult and adult
adult
Macrolophus caliginosus, Encarsia formosa, Eretmocerus eremicus: beneficial insects against whitefly
Source: KOPPERT BV

13. Step 4. evaluate cost
Cost per application
Efficacy – interval between applications
Combination or rotation of pesticides
selected
Avoid resistance
Combination with natural enemies
Total white fly protection cost

14. Case II : meet the standards of a new
client during cultivation
Be aware of the country’s MRLs legislation
Contact with the client for special demands
Evaluate compliance
• Plant protection Report
• Laboratory residue analysis available for
the delivered lot

15. Net of different legislation on MRL’s

16. Plant
Protection
Report

17. Test
report

18. Increased
importance of IPM
Agritex Energy S.A. approach:
“First prevention then treatment”

19. 10 ha glasshouse
Cluster tomato
Hydroponic cultivation
Agritex Energy SA

20. Precautionary measures
Construction
Data of area’s climate &
history on diseases
Orientation and ground
leveling
Climate control (heating-
cooling-ventilating etc)
CO2 supply
Drainage system
Insect nets
Insect nets

21. Precautionary measures
Planning
Hybrid choice (resistance,
adaptation)
Propagator choice
(hygiene, know how)
Hygiene Rules (personnel
& visitors)
Growing strategy (plant Personnel Training in
density, GAP, heating, Hygiene Regulation, pests & diseases
ventilation, fertigation, T,
RH etc)
Plant protection strategy

22. Precautionary measures
Prepare
Clean start
Disinfect
External pest
control (weeds,
insects, mice etc)

23. Plant protection strategy:
minimize sprayings
Correction:
Spot spraying
Planning of strategy
Introduce beneficials Active ingredients evaluation
Personnel training
Natural enemies evaluation
Statistic analysis of pest population Apply Hygiene Regulations
Monitor balance pests-beneficials Scouting & Monitoring pests
(sticky traps - plants assessment)

24. Plan
Sticky traps introduction schedule Active ingredients evaluation
(side effect on beneficials)

25. Do
Scouting & Monitoring – Registration form

26. Check
Pest population analysis
Beneficials-pests balance
(monitoring)

27. Act
Preventive introduction of beneficial
insects against whitefly
(Macrolophus caliginosus)
Curative introduction of beneficial
insects against spider mite
(Phytoseiulus persimilis)

28. Conclusions
Residue restrictions lead growers to the
necessity of:
Set up an environmental friendly crop protection
strategy
Continuous education in new agriculture
techniques
Being up-to-date with MRLs legislation worldwide
Being informed about special demands of their
clients

29. Discussion
common MRLs accepted worldwide as
proposed by Codex Alimentarius Commission:
Global Food Safety perception
Convenient trade worldwide
Reduce of extra cost in food chain