The large number of diabrotica outbreaks in maize-growing areas in the regions of Alsace and Rhone-Alps has led to an “ideological” approach backed by organisations, in particular environmental organisations, making statements that are untrue and even spreadingmisinformation.

It is therefore essential to get the facts right.
 
-         To make a direct link between single crop maize farming and diabrotica is at the least misleading, at worst a lie.  Single crop maize, which concerns only a small minority of maize farmers in France, has been practised for decades, whereas diabrotica has only been a pest in France for five years.
 
-         While crop rotation may help reduce the impact of the pest by interrupting the life cycle of the insect, there are other efficient pest control options used in many countries in America and Central Europe, e.g. GM varieties and seed treatment, but France has the dubious distinction of refusing these facilities.
 
Surely we should look at the strategy adopted so far, i.e. eradication of the pest, as the strategy has clearly shown its limits.
 
We could quite simply look at pest control as practised in the United States, where diabrotica comes from, and where the average maize yield is one of the highest in the world.  Closer to home, Hungary and Slovakia have been living with diabrotica and have successfully managed the pest by using all the pest control options available.
 
Attacks on one specific farming practice or on efficient pest control tools and new technologies do not enhance the reputation of the people behind these attacks.  And at the same time, these same people have been conspicuous by their silence as raw materials produced with GM inputs have been imported to France, i.e. produce protected by a range of products not approved for use in France!
 
Looking ahead, the French maize sector and the AGPM will continue to back maize farmers and the related economic players, taking action and providing support for initiatives undertaken for efficient diabrotica control and for compensation for damage suffered.

Contact : Anne Kettaneh – Tél : 01 44 31 10 96 – 06 83 22 05 01