IAPPS NEWSLETTER

Number VIII      August, 2005

NEW VERSION OF THE GERMAN PLANT PROTECTION ACT

The Federal Republic of Germany regulates crop protection through the Plant Protection Act. Article 2 of the Act prescribes that plant protection measures have to be carried out according to good crop protection practice. This is especially meant to protect the health of plants and plant products and to safeguard their quality in order to avert threats that may arise from the use of plant protection products or other plant protection measures to human and animal health and to the environment.

In 1998, the principles of good crop protection practice, which are based on article 2a of the Plant Protection Act, were published in the Bundesanzeiger journal No 220 a. These principles have now been revised, and a new version was published on 9 February 2005, taking into account scientific and technological progress, and new social requirements.

The revised introductory part presents the principles, aims, target group and the comprehensive legal frame. Further the relations to the principles of integrated pest management are described.

The most important change in content is the creation of a separate principle requiring plot-related documentation on the application of plant protection products. It is expressively meant to survey and where necessary exert control on the application of plant protection products. Germany has revised its procedure on the examination and authorization of plant protection products. Relevant parts in the text were adapted. The approval procedure according to article 18 and following articles have been included.

The part concerning plant health equipment has been revised, i.e. the principles and recommendations on its correct use in accordance with the provisions taking into account recent technological progress, in particular in the field of drift reduction. The protection of margin features close to arable land and other spaces has become subject of a new principle of its own. The new wording is more precise and does not allow for individual interpretations. In addition to the above changes in content, editorial revisions covered a large number of hints and specifications.

Dr. Gerhard Gündermann
Vice President of the Federal Biological Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry
IAPPS Regional Coordinator for Region I (Europe)
E-mail: G.Guendermann@BBA.DE

FOCUS ON AFRICA:
USING SCIENCE TO IMPROVE AGRICULTURE AND ALLEVIATE POVERTY

This international conference, organized by the Pest Management Group of Society of Chemical Industry (SCI), with the support of BCPC, will be held 3-4 November 2005 at the SCI, 14-15 Belgrave Square, London, UK.
Poverty in Africa has become headline news as politicians discuss the implications of the impacts of debt, International Trade agreements and combating AIDS and other diseases in developing countries, especially in Africa. The UK has traditionally been very involved in helping Africa, and can still contribute in helping with science and technology. Much can be done to combat the effects of malaria, river blindness and other diseases as well as AIDS and help the rural economy to grow better crops, not only for export but more importantly to improve local standards of living and develop local industries. This conference brings together specialists in pest management science to discuss ways in which further assistance could help significantly to alleviate the insect pests, diseases and weed problems of the peoples of Africa. Top international scientists will be giving their perspectives of the impact of their science and technology on the advances needed in less developed countries (LDCs) and identifying approaches for their implementation. The meeting will derive "Take-home" messages for aid agencies, scientists and politicians to act upon with a view to increasing yields and profitability to the benefit of LDCs.

Call for papers
Delegates are encouraged to make poster presentations on relevant topics. To apply, please email a short abstract (maximum length one page) to laura.milne@soci.org or fax to +44 (0)20 7235 7743. Closing date: Thursday 1 September 2005 Full programme and online booking available at www.soci.org/pest

For further details please contact:

Laura Milne
Tel: +44 (0)20 7598 1565
Fax: +44 (0)20 7235 7743
E-mail: laura.milne@soci.org

INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT IN OILSEED RAPE

First Announcement and Call for Papers

The Symposium will be held at the end of the EU-Project MASTER entitled ('Integrated pest management strategies incorporating bio-control for European oilseed rape pests' (QLK5-CT-2001-01447) (http://www.rothamsted.bbsrc.ac.uk/pie/master/master.htm) from 3 to 5 April 2006 at the Pauliner Kirche, Goettingen, Germany (a world-renowned historical library in the heart of the old town of Goettingen). The following aspects relating to oilseed rape will be covered during the Symposium:

Discussions will highlight recent advances in research and practice, and look towards identifying specific areas where current knowledge is inadequate and where and how future collaborative research efforts (both nationally and internationally) might best be directed. All scientists and practitioners with experience and data on parasitoids, predators and pathogens attacking pests of oilseed rape are encouraged to offer papers for oral or poster presentation, as are those with relevant information on IPM, crop protection, socio-economics and policy issues. The Symposium will look at a wide range of topics relevant to IPM in oilseed rape, including crop husbandry practices, on-farm landscape management, and all aspects relating to the biocontrol agents themselves.
This notice provides the date and location of the meeting for your planning purposes. At the same time this is a call for papers. All authors wishing to offer a paper for consideration by the Programme Committee are required to provide a 100- to 150-word synopsis. Ensure that your offer arrives by 31 August 2005 at the very latest. For more detailed information please visit the symposium webpage:
http://www.symposium-ipm-oilseed-rape.de/

Dr. Bernd Ulber
Local Organizer
University of Goettingen, Germany
Phone +49 551 393725
Fax +49 551 3912105

Dr. David V. Alford
Chairman of Programme Committee
BCPC, Cambridge, UK
E-mail: prog@bcpc.org

The IAPPS Newsletter is published by the International Association for the Plant Protection Sciences and distributed in Crop Protection to members and other subscribers. Crop Protection, published by Elsevier, is the Official Journal of IAPPS.

IAPPS Mission: to provide a global forum for the purpose of identifying, evaluating, integrating, and promoting plant protection concepts, technologies, and policies that are economically, environmentally, and socially acceptable.

It seeks to provide a global umbrella for the plant protection sciences to facilitate and promote the application of the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach to a the world's crop and forest ecosystems.

Membership Information: IAPPS has four classes of membership (individual, affiliate, associate, and corporate) which are described here.

The IAPPS Newsletter welcomes news, letters, and other items of interest from individuals and organizations. Address correspondence and information to:

Dr. Manuele Tamo, Editor
IAPPS Newsletter
Biological Control Center for Africa, IITA-Benin
08 B.P. 0932 Tri Postal, Cotonou, Republic of Benin
E-mail: m.tamo@cgiar.org