Dissemination visit to Agrovina fair Switzerland
Bird Control Group attended an Agriculture exhibition, visited by companies, agriculturists and other interested parties particularly involved in European vineyards and orchards. Sibylle Giraud, Sales manager of Bird Control Group had the opportunity of discussing the LIFE Laser Fence project at a stand which was shared with another company; IRRIP Irrigation.
Interested people discussed which animals are a nuisance in their industries. Damage is caused the most by wild pigs and birds (starling or tits). The crop loss occurred at the companies is sometimes desperately accepted and therefore is not really quantified. Regarding the amount of money the companies are losing as a result of damage, and the methods they use to disperse the animals, the answers were very vague. People say that it depends on the year, time when they animals are picking the grapes, fruit, etc. So far, the solutions for dispersing have been fencing, netting or acoustics. Some people confirm that illegal methods as toxics and shooting are also still very common. However, most of all solutions are not fully efficient or convenient to the owner of a vineyard. Obviously, they are very interested in a laser solution and are happy to hear the first results of the Life Laser Fence project. People were asking about, photographing and discussing the Life Laser Fence banner that was present at the fair.
Sibylle Giraud spoke with many owners of vineyards/orchards and with the following interested associations also:
AMTRA – An organization that focuses on doing scientific studies within the agriculture sector.
L’ASVEI – (Association Suisse des vignerons Encaveurs indépendant). This organization has 600 membersrepresenting a third of the totality of the total wine production in Switzerland.
Bio Vaud – Organizing the biggest fair for Bio Vines in Switzerland, hence they are aware of problems, issues, challenges, structure of vineyards, etcetera.
