Ragweed in the Rhone and the Common Agricultural Policy: the role of European fallowing and sunflower crops on airborne biological pollution by ragweed pollen.

摘要

In 1994, the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) rules concerning set aside began to be implemented in the Rho region of France, whereby farmers set land aside, while sunflower crops were subsidized. A corresponding rise was recorded in the annual weekly mean ragweed [Ambrosia artemisiifolia] pollen counts in this area for 1994. From 1996-99, higher levels of ragweed pollen were recorded at an agricultural site than at an urban site in the region. It was observed that ragweed infestations occurred onfallow land and in sunflower crops. Regression analyses indicated that an increase in ragweed pollen did occur after the implementation of the CAP rules. The role of fallow land and sunflower crops in ragweed pollen counts is discussed and it is suggested that the CAP needs to take this public health concern into account.