BioMatNet Item: FAIR-CT96-1314 - European Network for Research Coordination on Biocontrol of Oilseed Rape (BORIS)

FAIR-CT96-1314
European Network for Research Coordination on Biocontrol of Oilseed Rape (BORIS)

Contacts
Website: www.entom.slu.se/res/boris.html
Further Information

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FAIR Area 4.4.1 - Plant Health : Integrated Crop Protection & Biological Control : Vegetable Oil/Fat

	Proposal No:	FAIR-CT96-1314
	Date Prepared:	January 1998
	Source:	Proposal Abstract

Abstract:
The overall purpose is to co-ordinate, for the benefits of the environment and agriculture in Europe, current and future studies on enhancing the effectiveness of natural enemies of oilseed rape (OSR) pests, and thereby minimising reliance on pesticides. This will be done through the following specific objectives:

To establish a network amongst European scientists currently working on biocontrol and integrated crop management (ICM) of OSR pests, by providing a forum for information exchange between participants.
Through winter workshops and summer meetings, to focus on technological exchange and to co-ordinate future research on natural enemies of OSR pests, thereby minimising duplication of effort.
To reduce environment impact of pesticides on a major EU crop by devising strategies for farmers to exploit natural enemies and thereby minimise and better rationalise pesticide use on OSR.
To make recommendations for the direction, harmonisation and prioritisation of future research efforts in these areas.

Activities:
Over the three years the project runs activities will be as follows:

Activity 1
1. Under the guidance of a small (3-Person) Steering Group, to plan and co-ordinate a detailed 3-year programme of winter workshops and summer meetings.
2. At an initial winter workshop:
  1. to review the status of knowledge on natural enemies, and plan and discuss future group activities;
  2. to discuss requirements for the development and EU-wide harmonisation of monitoring methodologies for OSR pests and their natural enemies;
  3. to establish a regular newsletter in order to disseminate group activities to a wider audience.
3. To hold a summer meeting, concentrating on PARASITOIDS, at which participants would:
  1. share technical knowledge, with the aim of standardizing methodologies and identifying ways of minimizing pesticide use
  2. arrange the collection and exchange of bio-control material for reference purposes;
  3. identify and help develop relevant taxonomic expertise on the natural enemies of OSR pests
Activity 2
1. To develop a centralised database on OSR pests and their natural enemies.
2. To hold a winter workshop, with particular reference to the assessment of the effectiveness of natural enemies and bio-control potential for minimizin pesticide use.
3. To hold a summer meeting, concentrating on PREDATORS.
Activity 3
1. To hold a winter workshop to identify sustainable bio-control strategies which take account of landscape structure. The relevance to ICM, and the environmental benefits of such strategies, will also be considered.
2. To hold a summer meeting, concentrating on PATHOGENS.
3. To hold a final review meeting, to collate groups findings and recommendations.
4. To ensure maximum publicity for the groups findings and conclusions, to co-ordinate presentation of results and recommendations, and to prioritise and make recommendations for future collaborative research.

Contacts

Coordinator

UNITED KINGDOM

Editor, BORIS Newsletter

Lars Monrad HANSEN / Min. of Food Agriculture & Fisheries DIAS Research Centre Flakkebjerg / DENMARK

Participant