At the initiative of the AGPM (General Association of Maize Growers), the entire maize industry rallied to institute compensation for maize growers in France suffering damage caused by the parasite Diabrotica Virgifera Virgifera.

The EU classification currently has the insect listed as a “quarantine pest” which means compulsory pest control for diabrotica, so, since 2002, maize growers in regions affected have been hard hit by the financial burden of pest control requirements for specific treatments and crop rotation. The maize industry therefore decided, in compliance with legislative measures and together with the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries, to establish a support mechanism for the sector, funded through a subscription paid by all maize growers, calculated at one euro per unit of seed, plus State funds matching the payment for the same amount. The solidarity fund to be managed by the GNIS will be the facility for paying compensation to maize growers having to bear the financial burden of compulsory pest control and whose efforts have helped check the spread of the parasite to other regions. Only farmers who have contributed to the fund will be eligible for compensation. With this tangible initiative, the maize industry and specifically AGPM intend to provide a concrete response to help cope with losses suffered and to work so that changes now clearly needed for pest control are introduced, i.e. plant protection products and rules on diabrotica management.

Contact : Anne Kettaneh                   Tél. 01.44.31.10.96
                                                         Mobile : 06.83.22.05.01