Aerial application of pesticides authorized in vineyard slopes of Moselle region - Aerial approval granted for dispensing pesticides in Mosel vineyards' steep slopes.
Helicopter-Sprayed Pesticides Approved for Mosel Vineyards Despite Environmental Concerns
In a recent ruling, the Administrative Court of Koblenz has allowed the use of pesticides to be sprayed by helicopter in the Mosel vineyard slopes this year. The German Environmental Aid (DUH) had filed an urgent application against this practice, citing concerns over the declining Mosel Apollo butterfly population.
The DUH asserts that pesticides are responsible for the endangered butterfly's dwindling numbers. However, the court's decision only pertains to helicopter spraying, with a ruling on drone-based pesticide use still pending. The environmental group is considering whether to file an appeal against the decision.
Agriculture Minister Daniela Schmitt (FDP) stated that the use of plant protection agents is essential for the continued operation of steep slope viticulture on the Mosel. She welcomed the court's decision, calling it a significant milestone for the preservation of steep slope viticulture and Mosel winemakers. The ministry stressed that the state had satisfactorily demonstrated compliance with both plant protection and nature conservation requirements.
The impact of pesticides on local ecosystems, including rare species like the Mosel Apollo butterfly, has been a point of concern for environmental organizations. The environmental impact of certain pesticides, such as DDT, has been well-documented, raising similar concerns about helicopter-sprayed pesticides in sensitive ecosystems like the Mosel slopes.
- Mosel
- Helicopter
- Pesticide
- Koblenz
- German Environmental Aid e.V.
- Plant protection agents
- Administrative Court
- Mainz
The German Environmental Aid (DUH) has objected to helicopter-sprayed pesticides in the Mosel vineyards, citing the endangered Mosel Apollo butterfly and concerns over local ecosystems. Despite this, the Administrative Court of Koblenz approved the use of pesticides via helicopter this year, a decision met with disagreement by the DUH. The Ministry of Agriculture, supporting the use of plant protection agents, contends that this practice is crucial for the preservation of steep slope viticulture in the Mosel. Meanwhile, the impact of pesticides on environmental science, particularly in the context of climate-change and industry, continues to warrant scrutiny by researchers in the field of environmental-science and finance.
