Supplier Feedback: The use of sprinklers (used in the past) is prohibited in the new cultivations and the Government is demanding all the new groves to have the dripping system. In this way we save up to 50% of the water eliminating the evaporation and the growing up of the weeds as the dripping is taking place underground.
Additional Information: Over-consumption of water is being controlled through the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD). The WFD controls water pricing and requires full cost recovery to be adopted as the guiding rule for water price setting. This in turn reduces the incentives to develop artificial irrigation (the olive yield is greatly increa
sed by applying water).
Supplier Feedback: All chemicals used are their use is approved and authorized by the European Union in order to protect the environment. The new legislation is very strict and the Government Authorities check the farmers’ constantly. The new chemicals are not very strong in order to protect the environment. Limited erosion and underground irrigation systems protect the rivers and the sea from the flow of chemicals caused by rain. The use of the fertilizers and pesticides are recorded and monitored by the Government Authorities.
Additional Information: Traditional olive plantations on terraces can help slow down run-off and improve water penetration. The creation of small reservoirs can produce positive benefits for biodiversity when constructed to take into account the existing landscape.
Supplier Feedback: Strong pesticides used in the past have been abandoned and their use is not only prohibited but not available commercially. The new ones are harmless and only target insects affecting the olives. In Areas where we have irrigated Olive groves the population of wild life has increased.
Additional Information: The EC Habitats Directive has established Special Protection Areas of Conservation where management plans carry out restoration and agriculture (using sustainable olive farming practices) and conservation work side by side.