Within the framework of the “National Action Plan (NAP) for the Management of Rodents with the use of the manbird”, a program of targeted placement of artificial manbird nests is implemented in all provinces, with an emphasis on crop areas affected by rodents.
As stated in an announcement by the Ministry of Agriculture, the program provides for the free provision of a human bird's nest with an annual budget of €65,000. In the context of this program, it is also sought to inform the agricultural world about the importance of biological control and the need to reduce the chemical preparations that are often used uncontrollably in the countryside.
The Department of Forestry, the Department of Agriculture, the Veterinary Services, the Game Service and the Cyprus Ornithological Association participate in the formulation and monitoring of the implementation of the NAP, with the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment (YGAAP) as the coordinator.
It should be noted that the results of the implementation of the program are already very encouraging. From 2020, when the Plan began to be gradually implemented until today, the production of rodenticide by the Department of Agriculture, and according to extension, its use by the beneficiary agencies decreased by 55%. This reduction brings the state savings of around €130,000 compared to previous years, with the environmental benefit being incalculable. It is indicative of the fact that communities, which in the past used very large amounts of rodenticide, today fight rodents exclusively by using the human bird.
In this context, taking advantage of the experience and positive results of the NAP in the areas where it has been implemented, YGAAP extends this effort to other professional groups in the agricultural world. Therefore, in addition to farmers, Local Authorities, but also Hunting Associations, beneficiaries of the program are also breeders.
Therefore, the Ministry may grant one human bird's nest free of charge per livestock unit. It is clarified that the nest can only be granted to licensed breeders and that it will be granted following a written request to the Director General of the General Directorate of Rural Development with the details of the breeder and his livestock unit.
A condition for granting and installing the nest is the non-use of rodenticide baits in or around the livestock unit, the announcement states.
The nest will be installed by the ESA working group for biological management of rodents using the human bird. The nest will then be mapped and added to the National Database, while its success will be monitored by the working group in collaboration with the breeder.
It is noted that the breeder he will be responsible for guarding the nest against theft or vandalism.
The aim of the program is to reduce the use of rodenticide baits within livestock units, which are perennial rodent hotspots. The manbird is a key ally of farmers and nature, since it feeds almost exclusively on a huge number of rodents each year.
The program also looks forward to more economical rodent control. but also safely both for productive animals and for the environment.
For more information the public can call 22408354 or send an email to the email address [email protected].
