IFOAM Organics Europe participates in project on integrated pest management strategies

As IFOAM Organics Europe, we will take part in the IPMWorks project, which started on 1 October. The objective of this Horizon 2020 project, led by INRAE, is to promote the adoption of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies. As IFOAM Organics, we are responsible for coordinating the network of participating organic farms.  

The aim is to share experiences in organic pest management with conventional farmers, as well as to learn from integrated pest management (IPM) experts how organic farmers can reduce use of certain plant protection products (e.g. copper, paraffin oil, sulphur). 

At the basis of the project lies an EU-wide network of farmers, who will improve IPM methods through peer-to-peer learning and demonstrate to other farmers that holistic IPM “works”. IPMWorks will coordinate existing farm networks promoting IPM and launch new hubs of farms in regions where IPM is not that well developed yet.  

The kick-off meeting of IPMWorks took place on 22-23 October. IFOAM Organic Europe’s Research & Innovation Manager Bram Moeskops took part and presented the strategic approach of organic farming towards plant protection products.