The departmental council of Alpes-Maritimes, Dominique Cariolo, President of the National Union of Landscape Companies, Bruno Bettati, Mayor of La Gaude, as well as 16 agricultural stakeholders have committed to reducing their use of phytosanitary products. They hope to achieve the “zero pesticide” goal.
Before the signing, Charles Ange Ginรฉsy, the president of the departmental council, wanted to visit CREAM. This experimental station, unique in France, adheres to the criteria of the Ecophyto plan implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food. It is funded by the department, without which “the realization of this station would not have been possible,” according to Michel Dessus, President of the Agricultural Chamber.
A center divided into several branches
It consists of a high-tech experimental glass greenhouse covering an area of 2,000 mยฒ. It is divided into four independent climate cells. Two of them are dedicated to in-soil cultivation and two others to soilless cultivation.
Experiments to reduce pesticide consumption
They will release beneficial organisms on crops such as gerbera, roses, anemones, or ranunculus.
The aim is to observe their effectiveness against pests, their development conditions, and the cultivation methods appropriate to these new practices. “In parallel, we also use biostimulants or natural biocontrol products for the environment, such as fermented algae and trace elements,” specifies Michel Dessus.
Charles Ange Ginรฉsy does not hesitate to mention the action of the department: “The Department of Alpes-Maritimes has not used phytosanitary products for over 10 years, notably in departmental natural parks and on departmental roads.”
High expectations for biodiversity defenders
This charter aims to preserve the environment, natural resources, and biodiversity, but also to protect human health. “This experimentation is destined to become widespread, for example, I am thinking of the strawberry producers of Carros, who sometimes find their products unsellable due to a parasite. Soon, there will be beneficial organisms that will combat these pests naturally.”
This initiative is fully committed to environmental protection through the green deal implemented by Charles Ange Ginรฉsy. It encompasses environmental defense and sustainable development.
