Integrated Farming: an Ecological Farming Approach in European Agriculture

Abstract

European agriculture operates in challenging times as it faces uncertainties arising from economic, political, environmental and other pressures. In the arable sector, there are serious problems associated with overproduction and declining farm incomes as well as concerns about species decline and the pollution of ground and surface waters by agrochemicals. Such issues are forcing a fundamental re-orientation in agriculture. An Integrated Farming System (IFS) is identified as a most promising approach. It integrates natural regulatory components into farming activities with the aim of replacing purchased off-farm inputs, whilst maintaining farm income. Farm-scale trials across Europe indicate positive benefits of IFS. Yield potential does not deteriorate, agrochemical inputs are reduced and several agroecosystem components are enhanced without losses in financial returns. This paper discusses developments in IFS, together with possible technology transfer systems, in the context of the new, environmentally-orientated CEC-agropolicy to achieve sustainable agriculture in Europe.