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<p>Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a holistic approach that carefully considers
all available plant protection methods and keeps the use of pesticides to levels that
are ecologically and economically justified. IPM lies at the heart of our approach
to minimise the environmental impact of pesticides and is a key tool for businesses
facing the challenges of pesticide resistance, removal of pesticides from the market,
and changing pest pressures due to climate change. Within the National Action Plan
for the Sustainable Use of Pesticides (NAP) we will set out our policies to increase
the uptake of IPM by farmers, growers, amenity managers and amateur gardeners.</p><p>
</p><p>Having an IPM approach can reduce the risks associated with pesticides, combat
pesticide resistance, and support sustainable agricultural productivity. IPM aims
to diversify crop protection and reduce reliance on the use of chemical pesticides
by making use of lower risk alternatives and promoting natural processes. For example,
creating habitats for natural predators of plant pests, or using crop rotations to
break pest, weed and disease cycles. When alternative methods are ineffective or unavailable,
IPM also aims to optimise and minimise the use of chemical pesticides through targeted
and precise application.</p><p> </p><p>We have recently commissioned a package of
research projects that will bring together scientific evidence underpinning IPM and
to look at ways of further encouraging its uptake. This work will support farmers’
access to the most effective IPM tools available and ensure that we understand changing
trends in pest threats across the UK.</p><p> </p><p>Defra is also a partner in the
European Research Area Network (ERA-Net) Co-Fund on Sustainable Crop Production (SusCrop).
This research network aims to enhance cooperation and coordination of different national
and regional research programmes focussing on agriculture and climate change, sustainable
farming systems and biodiversity, sustainable water management, resource efficiency
and resilience in the food chain. It also seeks to increase productivity through technological
innovation.</p><p> </p><p>Projects within SusCrop ERA-Net include: ‘Eco-friendly solutions
for the integrated management of late and early blight of potatoes (ECOSOL)’ which
aims to Identify Effective Biological Control Agents and Plant Resistance Inducers
for the Control of Potato Late Blight in the field.</p>
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