The Network of Ecological Compensation Areas in Switzerland

Since 1993, the Swiss law and Ordinance on Direct Payments for Agriculture (ODP) enables farmers to be compensated for ecological measures. A catalogue lists different possible measures which can be implemented at farm level both to create space for nature and biodiversity and to generate an alternative income for farmers. Measures include the maintenance of e. g. semi-natural structures in the landscape such as high-stem trees, hedges, pastures and meadows which are not intensively used (detailed catalogue: ART 2009). Succeeding a fast increase in the number of these areas, stagnation has been observed (BIODIVERSITYMONITORING 2009). Additionally, it has become evident, that many compensation areas are in unfavourable conditions for biodiversity and their quality, especially species richness, is low. This motivated the extension of the ODP with an additional ordinance which tackles two main points: Ordinance on Regional Promotion of Quality and Networking of Ecological Compensation Areas in Agriculture (OEQ 2001)

Europe: Current Statistics

In this article, key area and operator data about organic farming in Europe and the European Union are presented. > In Europe, 11.2 million hectares were under organic agricultural management, constituting 2.2 percent of the agricultural area. Compared with 2003 (6.3 million hectares), the organic land has almost doubled. In 2012, the area increased by 0.63 million hectares or six percent. > In the countries of the European Union, there were almost 10 million hectares in 2012, constituting 5.6 percent of the agricultural land. Compared with 2003 (5.7 million hectares), the organic land increased by 75 percent. In 2012, the area increased by 0.54 million hectares or six percent. > The country with the largest organic agricultural area is Spain (1.6 million hectares), followed by Italy (1.2 million hectares), Germany and France (both slightly over 1 million hectares)

Wildflower strips to reduce lepidopteran pests in cabbage crops

Vegetable production systems are highly intensive and the periodic cultivations lead to un-favourable conditions for natural enemies. Using non-crops it is possible to create ecological infra-structure offering suitable food for natural enemies, and shelter from adverse conditions. On four organic farms in Western-Switzerland, we have tested in cabbage crops if wildflower strips are an appropriate tool to reduce lepidopteran pests. Analyses of wildflower strips on parasitism of caterpillars of Pieris rapae and Mamestra brassicae indicated a pest control potential. Grid trial using reared egg batches revealed no significant effect on parasitism of exposed M. brassicae and Plutella xylostella eggs in relation to the distance of the strip