|
Basel, Switzerland
July 15, 2009
|
Syngenta launches Operation Pollinator |
|
Pollinating insects are crucial for the success of
many natural habitats and the production of many
food crops. More than 80% of European crop types are
directly dependent upon native insects for their
pollination. Pollination by native bees and other
pollinating insects is worth an estimated €5bn a
year to Europe’s farmers whilst the value of
pollinators to the global ecosystem is put at €150bn
a year.
However, numbers of
pollinating insects have declined significantly
across Europe in recent years with two of the main
causes are said to be loss of feeding sites and
breeding areas. Syngenta’s Operation Pollinator is
therefore targeting 10,000has of dedicated habitat
for pollinating insects to boost their numbers and
will be rolled out on commercial farms in France,
Germany, Hungary, Italy, Spain, Portugal, and the
UK.
Download the
podcast featuring John Parr, Head of Crop Protection
EAME,
here |
Syngenta today announced the roll-out of a 5-year EUR 1
million program to provide essential habitat and food sources
for pollinating insects across Europe. ‘Operation Pollinator’
aims to boost the numbers of native pollinating insects across
seven European countries: Spain, France, Germany, Italy, the
United Kingdom, Portugal and Hungary.
 Operation
Pollinator will enable growers to cultivate wild flora that are
favored by pollinating insects on the edges or near fields of
commercial farms. Growers will be provided with seed mixes,
along with innovative pesticide use practices and agronomic
advice designed to benefit pollinators. The program is based on
independent scientific research and progress will be assessed
annually by an independent scientific auditor.
“The number of pollinating insects has declined significantly
across Europe in recent years because of loss of feeding sites
and breeding areas,” said Jon Parr, Head of Crop Protection EAME
at Syngenta. “Our aim is to help reverse this trend by creating
an additional 10,000 hectares of dedicated habitat for
pollinators. This will show that environmental sustainability
and modern farming can coexist, which is critical for doubling
global food production by 2050.”
Operation Pollinator is based on the success of Operation
Bumblebee in the United Kingdom. Within three years, this
Syngenta project increased bee populations up to 600% and
contributed to the regeneration of rare species such as Bombus
ruderatus, previously on the verge of extinction[1]. Butterfly
population rose 12-fold and there was a 10-fold increase for
other pollinating insects.
Pollinating insects are crucial for many natural habitats and
the production of a majority of food crops. More than 80% of
European crop types depend directly on them, including many
fruit and vegetables. The value of pollinating insects to the
European economy is put at EUR 5 billion annually, whilst it is
estimated that they are worth EUR 150 billion to global
eco-systems every year[2].
Syngenta is one of the world's leading companies with more
than 24,000 employees in over 90 countries dedicated to our
purpose: Bringing plant potential to life. Through world-class
science, global reach and commitment to our customers we help to
increase crop productivity, protect the environment and improve
health and quality of life. For more information about us please
go to www.syngenta.com or
www.growmorefromless.com.
1. The Buzz Project (2001-2006); managed by the Farmed
Environment Company, monitoring by the Centre for Ecology and
Hydrology (CEH), sponsored by Syngenta.
2. European crop types dependent on pollinators: Ref: Williams,
I.H. (1994) The dependence of crop production within the
European Union on pollination by honeybees. Agricultural Zoology
Reviews 6: 229-257. Value of native bees to European farmers:
Ref: Borneck, R. and Merle, B. (1989) Essaie d’une evaluation de
l’incidence économique de l’abeille pollinisatrice dans
l’agriculture européenne. Apicata 24: 33-38. Value of
pollinators globally: Gallai, N., Salles, J.M., Settele, J. and
Vaissiere, B.E. (2008) Economic valuation of the vulnerability
of world agriculture confronted with pollinator decline.
Ecological Economy. |
|
