Important victory for viticulture: plant protection products remain allowed!

Important victory for viticulture: plant protection products remain allowed!

Mosel, Rheinland-Pfalz, Deutschland - The decision of the Koblenz Administrative Court to reject an urgent application from German Environmental Aid (DUH) was celebrated by wine -growing minister Daniela Schmitt as a significant success for steep slopes on the Moselle. In a current judgment, the continuation of the use of plant protection products from air in Moselle Pollofalter areas was approved for 2025. Schmitt emphasizes the need for the preservation of the viticultural culture in the region and emphasizes the connection between the protection of the Moselle Pollo and the steep slopes. "Viticulture contributes significantly to the care of the slope landscapes," she said, pointing out that without proper cultivation, bushes threaten that could endanger the habitat of the endangered Apollo. https://mwvlw.rlp.de

The DUH had originally called for the protection of the Moselle Pollo, an endemic type of butterfly, to use aircraft to spread fungicides. However, these applications were dismissed because the state of Rhineland-Palatinate could prove that all relevant regulations were observed. The use of helicopters for injections in the wine -growing positions is still permitted, but only under strict requirements and J annual permits. These regulations contradict the claims of the Federal Environment Agency (UBA), which demands minimum distances to avoid damage for the Moselle Pollo.

the Moselle Pollo and its challenges

The Moselle Pollo rely on special plant species and lives in a very limited area of ​​around 400 hectares, which has shrunk by up to 90 percent since the 1980s. The causes of this dramatic decline include the loss of its habitats due to changes in agriculture, climate change and the use of pesticides. However, viticulture is crucial for the preservation of the habitats of the Moselle Pollo because it keeps the slope landscapes open and ensures the care of vineyard walls and terraces.

The Federal Office for Consumer Protection and Food Safety (BVL) has given permits for fungicides in the past, although no protection regulations for the Moselle Pollo were introduced. This must be considered because high toxicities were found for some fungicides. The use of drones for injections could offer a more environmentally friendly solution here, since these technologies can work more specifically and safely. The first drone use in the Moselltal is planned for spring 2024.

Future -oriented approaches in viticulture

The need to make viticulture more environmentally friendly is also clear in a current EU proposal to restore nature. The EU Commission aims to reverse biodiversity loss and strengthen protected areas, which also has an impact on viticulture. The German Wine Construction Association (DWV) calls for a differentiated view of the use of pesticides, which should be based on the protective character of areas.

• viticulture demonstrably promotes biodiversity.
• dry stone walls offer habitat for protected species.
• steep slopes in the Moselle region contribute significantly to the ecological balance.

The DWV is committed to cooperative approaches to reconcile the interests of the winemakers with the requirements for species protection. A dialog between the different actors is essential to ensure sustainable viticulture and at the same time protect the habitat of the Moselle Pollo. A switch to mushroom -resistant wine varieties could offer a forward -looking solution to tackle the challenges that threaten both viticulture and the protected bosses.