It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to today's workshop on the biological management of rodents in the Cypriot countryside. This is an extremely interesting workshop, organised by the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, in the framework of the National Action Plan for the management of rodents using anthropology. This Plan is in line with both the specific objective of our Ministry to reduce the use of rodenticides and the more general objectives of the Green Deal and the European Union's Biodiversity Strategy. The formulation and monitoring of the implementation of the National Action Plan involves the Department of Forests, the Department of Agriculture, the Veterinary Services, the Game Service and the Cyprus Bird Association, and the results are already very encouraging.
In general, biological control refers to the use of predators or pathogens to control populations of harmful organisms. Biological control is a process that has always existed in nature, without human intervention. It operates on the principle that most organisms are prey for other organisms, which in many cases leads to a drastic reduction in the population of the prey species. This simple principle is exploited in the context of biological control for the effective management of crop pests and diseases.
Nowadays, biological control is also achieved with human intervention, particularly by promoting natural enemies to protect against pests, especially in crops. Biological control has evolved greatly in recent years and is a reliable method of protection in modern agriculture, which presents multidimensional advantages over conventional ways of controlling pests.
The widespread use of plant protection products of chemical origin in recent decades has brought about the well-known negative consequences such as environmental pollution, loss of biodiversity, negative effects on human health and high production costs. To a large extent, biological control is an answer to these problems, since it is an effective method of protection, which ensures both the production of high quality products and the protection of the environment and consumer health.
In recent years, the human bird, a species of owl, has been extensively exploited for biological control of rodents. The human bird is one of the best allies of farmers in the fight against rodents in the countryside as it feeds almost exclusively on rodents.
Under the "National Rodent Management Plan using the human bird", with an annual budget of 75 thousand euros, the targeted installation of artificial human bird nests is being implemented in all provinces. At the same time, the aim is to inform the farming community about the importance of biological control and the need to reduce the use of chemical preparations, which are often used uncontrolled in the countryside. The results of the implementation of the National Action Plan are impressive. From 2020 when the Plan was gradually implemented until today, the production of rodenticide by the Department of Agriculture, and by extension the use of rodenticide by the beneficiaries, has been reduced by 50%. It is telling that communities that previously used very large quantities of rodenticide are now controlling rodents solely by utilizing man-made rodenticide.
Important supporting actions are also planned under the Rural Development Programme, with subsidies to reduce the use of rodenticides in the countryside and to enhance and protect biodiversity.
In this effort we have the support of local communities and organised groups such as organised hunters. I would like to thank from the bottom of my heart all those who assist us in this effort, which can only be of benefit to man and the environment.
In conclusion, and having congratulated and thanked both the partners of the National Action Plan and the organizers and speakers of today's event, I welcome you again to this very interesting workshop, the results of which are expected to contribute to the adoption of nature management methods leading to the green transition, sustainability and harmonious coexistence between man and the environment.
(ΕΠ/ΙΚ)
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