Eco-scheme 5 for CAP contributions: specific pollinator measures
In arboriculture, Eco 5 sets out the following four commitments:
– Maintaining dedicated bee-attracting (nectar and pollen) plants covering at least 70% of the pledged area during the year of application, either wild or sown;
– Not cutting, chopping or carrying out fibration of bee-attracting plants on any part of the tree crop area from the start of germination until flowering is over (from 1 March until 30 September);
– Not using chemical herbicides and employing only mechanical or manual weed control measures on species not of interest to bees on the pledged tree crop area;
– Not using other pesticide products on either the tree crops or the bee-attracting plants on any part of the pledged tree crop area during the flowering period and, at other times of the year, employ integrated pest management methods.
It is worth knowing that many growers view adhering to Eco 5 as compatible with cultivating ordinary alfalfa, broad bean, sulla, clover etc. for production, as these species are listed as being of interest to bees: this is not the case.
Recommended seed rate: 30-35kg/ha