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Reduction in Pesticide Use, Green Clubs and Manure Storage
The objective
of Phase III is to enhance the efforts undertaken since 1992
by the Ministère de l’Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de
l’Alimentation du Québec (MAPAQ), through its Stratégie
phytosanitaire (pest management strategy) and the Programme
d’aide d’investissement en agroenvironnement (agri-environment
investment assistance program) (PAIA), and by the Ministère
de l’Environnement et de la Faune du Québec (MEFQ), under
its agricultural clean-up program and the legislation introduced
in the eighties.
Studies
conducted by the MEFQ over the past several years and, more
recently, under Phase II of the St. Lawrence Action Plan, revealed
the presence of farm pesticides and significant concentrations
of phosphorus from agricultural sources in the St. Lawrence
and in a number of its tributaries. In shedding light on the
impact of intensive production methods, these studies contributed
to the farming community’s awareness of the need to institute
more environment-friendly cultivating practices. The public’s
growing concern and desire for farm producers to adopt more
sustainable practices are acknowledged by the activities planned
in the Agricultural Intervention sector of Phase III and their
respective budgets.
Reduce pesticide use
Alain Verreault, Manager of the farm and natural lands sector
policy branch of the MEFQ and co-chair of the Agricultural Advisory
Committee believes that "while the five-year objective
of reducing pesticide use by 50% and increasing the percentage
of farmland under integrated pest management by 70% may appear
somewhat ambitious to some, we should be able to attain these
levels through the training, support and the transfer of technology
we provide to Québec farm producers." Current MAPAQ estimates
indicate that 15% of farmland is under integrated pest control
management.
During Phase III, MAPAQ and MEF priority will be given to activities
carried out in the drainage basin. Most field crop farm enterprises
are found in these areas, that is, west of the Assomption and
Yamaska rivers. Activities will be directed toward apple and
potato producers as well. It is felt that consultation with
farm producers is the best way to institute the practice of
integrated pest management.
Promote closer collaboration between farm producers
and agricultural specialists
"For each type of production, strategic teams made up of
producers, scientists and agricultural representatives are brought
together to identify the major problems affecting harvests,"
explains Denis Sanfaçon, Manager of MAPAQ’s environment
and sustainable development branch. "They also recommend
the level of priority to be assigned to any given action. Once
priorities have been established, we advise the partners of
them so that they may submit projects to us for presentation
to the Agricultural Advisory Committee. An example of one of
our objectives would be to fine-tune agri-environmental management
models or bioclimatic models. We also hope to boost our knowledge
of optimum pesticide doses for the various conditions producers
encounter and of non-chemical measures for controlling crop
pests, among other topics."
In an effort to speed up the technology transfer, technical
support groups have been formed to ensure that the information
is made available to all of their members. We also turn to associations
such as the Union des producteurs agricoles (UPA – Québec’s
farm producers’ union) to convey this information.
Integrated Pest Management
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Integrated
pest management is an agri-environmental approach based
on experimentation and observation, that allows farm
producers to manage and harvest profitable crops by
treating the environment as an ally. The six steps are:
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| 1. |
Identify
allies and pests
It is important to first identify, and be
familiar with, the different species inhabiting
the farm ecosystems. |
| 2. |
Investigate
and evaluate the situation
The environmental conditions, the quantity
of harmful organisms and the general condition
of the crops all need to be assessed. In short,
a good understanding of the farmland is required. |
| 3. |
Use
intervention thresholds
It is a matter of using the proper control
tools at the right time with maximum effectiveness. |
| 4. |
Adapt
the ecosystem
Many farm pests live along the perimeter of
the crops. Among the steps that are apt to
create an ecosystem favourable to useful organisms,
but inhospitable to others, are the disinfection
of farm equipment, a change in seeding density
and dates, and the choice of cultivars. |
| 5. |
Integrate
pest control methods
Integrating various control methods generally
ensures a more lasting and effective reduction
in the pest population while helping to reduce
the risks associated with using only chemical
pesticides. |
| 6. |
Evaluate
the impact and effectiveness of the steps
taken
Every decision leads to results. The decision
to use control plots and to monitor crop yield
and quality helps everyone concerned gradually
improve their farming methods. |
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Information taken
from the MAPAQ brochure entitled Integrated Pest Management
- Everyone Wins!
Boyer River ‘green clubs’
Also slated as activities over the next five years is the establishment
of five ‘green clubs’ for the Boyer River for the
purpose of improving agri-environmental management of its drainage
basin and to spur the return of smelt to the river. "One
green club has already been set up," explains Mr. Verreault,
"and one coordinator is already laying the groundwork for
the creation of four other clubs, at a rate of one per year."
In placing priority on improving the waterway, the clubs, which
bring together some forty producers, should suggest actions
they can take on their farms that are likely to help improve
the quality of the river water.
Falling in line: farm businesses and the application of the
Regulation respecting the reduction of pollution from agricultural
sources in the tributaries of the St. Lawrence River
The agricultural community is already well aware of the issues
of adequate livestock waste storage and rational crop fertilization.
Sixty million dollars have been earmarked for the PAIA for the
drainage basins in western Québec alone to assist producers
in doing what is needed to comply with the legislation by the
year 2003. "We provide the farmers with financial backing
so they may adjust their operations in accordance with the new
legislation," Denis Sanfaçon concludes.
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