Integrated production
Under Integrated Production (IP ) refers to a nature and animal friendly farming.
Classification
Integrated Farming forms a kind of link between the industrialized conventional agriculture, which is mainly focused on productivity, and organic farming. Here methods are preferably used which have the lowest possible impact on the environment, but without applying all restrictions from the ecologically -driven agriculture.
History
Its origin lies in integrated plant protection. The Organización Internacional de la Lucha Biológica e Integrada ( International organization for biological and integrated control; OILB ) defines the Integrated production as an agricultural system for food production, which exploits the natural resources and mechanisms at the highest possible and a long-term viable and sustainable agriculture possible. All used organic methods, cultivation techniques and chemical processes are chosen under the aspect of creating a balance between the protection of the environment, economy and social needs.
Objectives
From this definition, the main objectives can be derived:
- Integration of natural resources and regulating mechanisms in order to reduce external influences of all types ( fertilizer, water, energy, etc. ).
- Securing a sustainable production of food and other products by preferably forming successful use of technologies and products that go easy with the environment and reduce the contamination.
- Maintenance of diverse functional processes in agriculture and the viability of agricultural income.
The main objectives and related policies have been since the early 1970s by the OILB instrumental in shaping after already in the 1950s, in a few cases, uncoordinated certain practices of the producer groups were conducted.
In 1977 was the OILB - starting with the apple harvest - Guidelines for the recognition of such organizations out which manufacture for integrated production point of view. However, it took until the 1990s until the OILB had written specific guidelines, techniques, strategies and practices by means of appropriate agreements.
Dissemination
Since the late 1980s, have great fruit-growing regions in Europe, among them the Altes Land near Hamburg, opened for the integrated production of fruit. Meanwhile, the entire core fruit production is almost marketed in the main fruit-growing state of Baden- Württemberg IP label.
In Rhineland -Palatinate in orchards exist, the Working Group Integrated fruit growing Rheinland- Pfalz eV ( PREMIUM ) and in agriculture, the Working Group Integrated Farming Association ( AGIL ). 2006, established the " quality mark of Rhineland- Palatinate " the Ministry of Economy, Transport, Agriculture and Viticulture. Products that are marked with must meet the requirements highest trade or classes of quality proven to originate from Rhineland -Palatinate and be produced environmentally friendly.
In Switzerland, the association of ca ie 20,000 farmers who have joined the Integrated Production IP - SUISSE.
Criticism
The Nature Conservation Association NABU points out, however, that the integrated production, for example, have not resulted in the fruit growing to a sound management of the environment. Despite inflationary dissemination of IP labels of Pesticide use has increased further in many fruit growing areas.
It should be also noted that " Integrated farming " as opposed to " controlled biological cultivation " not a legally protected term is. ( See also European Organic Regulation for Germany Bio-Siegel )