Profile

Research objektives and focus

The primary objective of the research effort of the Department of Integrated Pest Management (PBS) is to contribute to efficient and environmentally acceptable prevention and control of weeds, plant diseases and pests in plant and livestock production, in the food industry and in society in general. Research into bees is also part of the activities of the Department with a special focus on diseases, including public control of bee diseases. Departmental research also includes activities that are not related to agriculture as such, for example rats in urban environments, bedbugs, weed control on pavements and roads and plant protection on sports grounds.

PBS’s mission is to develop and disseminate the knowledge basis for environment and health acceptable prevention and control of pests in plant and livestock production, in the food industry, buildings and in society in general.

It is PBS’s vision to be a globally oriented department and a leading player in Europe who creates research results of a high national and international standard benefiting the knowledge society, education, authorities, industry and consumers.

PBS’s values take general AU and DJF values as their starting point and are based on professionalism, commitment, impartiality, openness, collaboration and ethical responsibility.

The Department’s products comprise fem core services: research, research-based education and supplementary training/education, research-based advice to the authorities and ministries, technology and knowledge transfer to industry and businesses and general dissemination of knowledge. Research therefore forms the basis for the Department’s core services. Research is presented below through a description of 6 scientific problem-oriented main areas of action and 3 discipline-oriented main areas of action.

PBS is located at Flakkebjerg and Sorgenfri and has 125 employees. PBS comprises 4 research units, a research support unit and an administrative unit.

 

Research perspectives

Our research contributes to the improvement of p

roduction economy, product quality, animal welfare and health and to the improvement of health and environment through the development of optimum prevention and control strategies against pests in conventional and organic agriculture, in the food industry and in society in general. Our research not only aims at solving present problems but also at preparing industry and society to meet future demands.

Departmental research contributes to realising the primary objective for the development of plant protection strategies in Danish agriculture in agreement with the report by the Bichel Committee and with the Pesticide Action Plan 2004-2009. The Department’s expert knowledge is utilised to a great extent through close contact to the EU Commission through Danish authorities (pesticides and plant health), the Public Health Committee of the Council of Europe (health and storeroom pests), EPPO working groups (guidelines for plant protection and rat control), FAO (parasites and resistance to pesticides), EFSA (plant quarantine pests) and WHO (vector biology and resistance to pesticides). The Department contributes to the establishment of a closer collaboration regarding plant protection within the EU through its participation in ENDURE (EU Network of Excellence).

The Department’s total expert knowledge is unique in several fields and is therefore increasingly expected to form the scientific basis for the preparation of legislation and regulation as well as for public authorities’ service to companies and citizens.

The Department’s expert knowledge is in demand for innovation and product development relevant to the sector such as the development of new prevention and control methods.

The Department’s expert research knowledge is utilised in many countries, including developing countries, through international collaboration on research. At the same time such collaboration increases the Department’s expert knowledge. As a whole the Department’s research and knowledge form part of collaborative activities with a large number of Danish and foreign universities and research institutions and are furthermore in demand by Danish and international consultancy services, businesses, organisations and public authorities.