This year again, the apricot blossom in the Wachau turned out to be a real million-dollar business for gastronomy. The natural spectacle attracted thousands of tourists to the World Heritage region. At the moment, not only the trees in the Wachau are blooming, but also the apricot farmers and winegrowers. It is feared that the flowers in the Wachau could wither forever!
As reported, the Green Deal is becoming more and more of a problem for the fruity gold. The World Heritage region is part of the Europe-wide Natura 2000 network of protected areas and would therefore be affected by the Brussels decision. As part of this reform, the use of all chemical pesticides will be banned. EU mandate Alexander Bernhuber sounds the alarm again: “The Wachau apricot is world famous and unique. It is an integral part of the local culture of indulgence. The Commission should not assert itself and impose an expiration date on the Wachau apricot.”
In the Wachau alone, more than 200 farmers are shaking for a living. “Apricot cultivation just doesn’t work without crop protection, whether organic or conventional,” says young grower Martin Bergkirchner from Mitterarnsdorf.
A glimmer of hope: the last word has probably not yet been spoken, as negotiations on the EU plant protection law have only just begun. In February, Greenpeace also revealed that one in five fruits from Brazil was contaminated with pesticides already banned in the EU.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
