What was it all about?

This project, which ran from 2015/16 to 2016/17 set out to provide a better understanding of the current use of integrated pest management (IPM) within the apple and pear industry and the efficacy of the current IPM Manual in guiding practice.

A key component of the review was to investigate whether IPM is an enabler or impediment to market access.

Key findings of the project were that:

• There is high awareness of IPM, which is the effective combination of chemical, cultural and biological methods to control both insect pests and diseases in a ‘whole of system’ approach
• While awareness is high, adoption of true IPM by the industry is low – while 86 per cent of growers surveyed believed they were using IPM, further investigation suggested that, by the technical definition, only 25 per cent actually were
• The most commonly practiced elements of IPM are monitoring and mating disruption technology, but typically it is the use of harsh chemicals disruptive to key beneficials that undermine many IPM approaches
• All the tools required to allow growers to use IPM effectively are available and are being used by some, but grower and advisor confidence in IPM could stand to be increased across the industry. On-farm demonstrations and updating of the IPM Manual are approaches that could help achieve this.
• IPM can and should be used to help facilitate the expansion of export trade, with IPM’s environmental sustainability and reduced pesticide use having the potential to add value.