Dear Madame or Sir,
 
dynamic growth in organic acreage in many European countries means new challenges for farmers concerning plant health. By combining clever crop rotation systems, enhancement of functional biodiversity, selection of robust varieties and the application of natural substances against pests and diseases, organic farmers and growers strive to keep their plants healthy without having to rely on synthetic pesticides.
 
While there are various ways and strategies to lower the risk of being affected by diseases like apple scab, mildew or potato blight, copper-based formulations are almost the only tool to combat actual infections. At the same time, copper can have negative impacts on soil and water organisms, so organic farmers are looking for strategies to minimize copper use, supporting EU law requirements for EU member states to take action on copper minimization.
 
To discuss innovative ways to keep plants healthy in organic and integrated plant protection, and to identify research and farm management options to further reduce the use of copper, BÖLW, IFOAM) EU-Group and Julius Kühn Institut (JKI) invite you to take part at the
 
3rd European Conference on Copper in Plant Protection
15th and 16th November 2018
Julius Kühn Institut, Königin-Louise-Str. 19, 14195 Berlin, Germany
 
Farmers and growers, scientists, regulators, agricultural advisers and other people working with/on copper in a context of plant protection are welcome to share experience and ideas!
 
All contributions will be presented in English.
 
On 15th at 7 pm to 10 pm part of the programme is a Conference Dinner at „Landgasthaus Dahlem“ restaurant close to the conference venue, offering organic and non-organic specialties. Please let us know with your registration if you wish to join us for this highlight!
We are looking forward to welcoming you in Berlin!
 
Registration
Please register online by 31st October at www.boelw.de/kupfertagung18
 
Participation Fee
Thanks to funding by the Federal Organic Farming Scheme and other forms of sustainable agriculture (BÖLN), participation to the conference is free. 15,- € per person will be charged to cover costs for coffee and refreshments, and an extra 40,- € for the conference dinner at „Landgasthaus Dahlem“). Please note that we must ask you to pay in cash.