Integrated production

Useful insects and mites, which attack harmful insects, are spread or spared to keep the plague below the danger level.

Another technique is to attract pest control supporting birds by installing birdhouses. Titmouses, for example, eat large numbers of insects, and birds of prey attack mice and rats in the orchards.

Chemical products are used only when pest control methods using natural enemies prove ineffective. These products are carefully selected so that the useful insects are not killed and can continue their pest control activities.

In this way, the use of chemical products is drastically reduced, and this is beneficial to the environment and the producer's and consumer's health.

For more information about inspection and certification you can contact Mira Verherbruggen at mira.verherbruggen@integra-bvba.be

* Legal system (Belgium)

In 1996, a legal basis was established for integrated pipfruit production in Belgium. The specifications, containing all standards to be met by integrated production fruit farmers, were recorded in the Royal Decree of 22 January 1996.

If you wish to present yourself as an integrated pipfruit farmer and you wish to apply a label to your apples and pears, referring to integrated production, you can apply for a certification by INTEGRA, since INTEGRA is recognised by the Ministry of Agriculture for this kind of activity.

If you, as a fruit farmer, are not certified by a recognised control organisation, you are not allowed to make any reference to the integrated production method