Consider the context-dependency to draft guidelines

This report provides to the Member States a framework for drafting IPM guidelines combining active prophylaxis and context dependency.

Promoting harmonized prevention actions at European level seems complicated by the apparent strong dependency of outcomes on local agro-climatic conditions. Identical practices is deemed capable of producinf markedly different results depending on climate, soil characteristics, landscape structure, biodiversity, pest pressure, and management history. This variability is observed, even though not thoroughly documented. However, according to D3.3, it is possible to create guidelines that are science-based, robust and adaptable to local contexts. This clearly applies to preventive actions.

The present report examines the possibilities of integrating the diversity of agro-climatic conditions into the definition of guidelines for IPM practices. By combining the concepts of active prophylaxis — focusing on anticipatory prevention and the selection of appropriate means — and context dependency — capturing site-specific environmental and agronomic factors — AGROWISE aims to provide to the Member States a framework for drafting IPM guidelines that is both effective and implementable across diverse European farming systems. The integration of active prophylaxis and context dependency provides a transformative approach to guideline development. Active prophylaxis directs attention to the means necessary for prevention including actions done without knowing the future seasonal pest pressure while context dependency lists the factors needed to adapt the actions local conditions.

This report includes a table of active prophylaxis practices linked to dependency context scores.