‘Perfect Produce’ Expectations Among Barriers To IPM Adoption, Study Finds
Grower concerns about meeting retailer expectations for blemish-free fruit and vegetables are among ten barriers which are limiting the uptake of integrated pest management (IPM) in the UK fresh produce industry, according to new research from the University of Warwick.
The study, titled ‘Integrated pest management uptake in UK fresh produce: Barriers and opportunities’ is based on interviews with 24 stakeholders across the fresh produce supply chain, and underlines the need for a more tailored approach to IPM across UK horticulture.
According to the findings, the willingness among growers and their ability to adopt alternative pest-management approaches are being challenged by retailers’ high quality requirements, policy uncertainty, knowledge gaps, and limited access to independent advice.
Participants in the study included growers, agronomists, retailers, policymakers, researchers, and crop protection businesses.
Analysis of their responses identified ten interconnected barriers to wider IPM adoption, reflecting the different challenges faced across crops and production systems.
IPM combines a range of approaches to pest management as a means to reduce the use of, and reliance on, synthetic pesticides, in order to support resilient food production.
Those include: crop and habitat management, monitoring, biological controls and, where necessary, pesticides.
However, the researchers found that IPM application varies between crops and production systems, making it difficult to establish a single definition or policy approach for the entire fresh produce industry.
One significant obstacle is the perceived risk of compromising crop quality or consistency when changing established pest-management practices.
Interviewees suggested that strict retailer quality specifications and expectations for consistent, blemish-free produce can make routine pesticide applications appear to be the safer option, even among growers interested in adopting more IPM-based systems.
The research also identified knowledge gaps, particularly around crop monitoring, pest thresholds, catch crops, and biopesticides.
Participants highlighted the need for more practical, crop-specific research, alongside better access to independent technical advice, training, and opportunities to exchange knowledge.
The closure of AHDB Horticulture in 2022 was also identified as a factor contributing to the loss of sector-wide support.
Among the priorities for increasing adoption, researchers highlighted: crop-specific strategies and targets, stronger links between research and industry, improved monitoring, and renewed investment in training and technical support.
“Improving IPM uptake will require more than setting general pesticide-reduction ambitions,” explained lead researcher, Professor Rosemary Collier OBE.
“IPM has to work within the realities of each crop and production system. Growers need reliable, practical information on what works, as well as the support to test and adopt new approaches without taking unacceptable risks to crop quality or supply.
“Our research highlights the requirement for crop-specific strategies and targets, better ways to monitor progress, stronger links between researchers and agronomists, and renewed investment in research, training and biological-product stewardship,” Professor Collier continued.
Ten Barriers To Wider IPM Adoption
The researchers identified ten connected themes that are restricting IPM progress across the UK fresh produce industry:
Different interpretations and levels of IPM adoption: Approaches vary between crops and production sectors, making it difficult to develop a consistent industry-wide framework.
Policy uncertainty: Uncertainty surrounding pesticide-reduction targets, future trade deals, and the absence of an overarching strategy creates challenges for long-term planning.
Limited policy support and measurement: Interviewees highlighted the lack of effective mechanisms to encourage, measure, and monitor IPM uptake.
Perceived risks to crop quality: Concerns that alternative pest-management practices could compromise the appearance, quality, or consistency demanded by retailers may discourage growers from making changes.
Knowledge gaps: Practical understanding of IPM remains insufficient across the diverse range of fresh produce crops.
Insufficient research and weak industry connections: Underfunded research and limited collaboration between stakeholders make it harder to address technical challenges and translate findings into practical solutions.
Limited peer-to-peer knowledge sharing: Competition within the industry can restrict the exchange of experiences and practical information between growers.
Loss of knowledge-exchange capacity: The closure of AHDB Horticulture has left a gap in sector-wide support and opportunities for sharing technical knowledge.
Inadequate training and advice: Existing training provision and advisory services have struggled to keep pace with the increasing complexity of IPM and modern crop production.
Over-reliance on technology: While new technologies have a role to play, an excessive focus on technological solutions risks diverting attention from the development and application of IPM's underlying principles.
Read the study here.
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