Publication of January 12th 2026 Research articleTransition pathwaysLiving cover crops alter the fate of pesticide residues in soil: influence of pesticide physicochemical propertiesIn this new scientific article, we show that well-developed cover crops not only reduce nitrogen leaching, but also degrade over a third of pesticide residues in the soil post harvest, and that this effect can be predicted from the physicochemical properties of the pesticide molecules Transition pathways Vegetable sectorCereals sectorProtein cropsPotato sectorBeetroot sectorPesticidesCrop diversificationExternalitiesConservation agriculture
Publication of March 19th 2026 PresentationTransition pathwaysFrom Denmark to Brussels: The Harmonised Pesticide Load Indicator (HPLI) as a model for risk-based eu pesticide policy and governancePresentation at the workshop “EU Pesticides Law and Governance: Legal, Political, and Epistemic Challenges” organised by the Institute of European Studies at UCLouvain (Saint-Louis, Brussels) Transition pathways Vegetable sectorFruit sectorCereals sectorProtein cropsPotato sectorBeetroot sectorMeadows and pasturegovernanceagri-environmentPesticidesLeversLock-inEnvironmental footprintPolicy recommendationsEurope
Past event Thesis presentation October 10th 2025 Louvain-la-NeuveTransition pathwaysPublic thesis defence of Noé VandevoordeThis PhD shares three hands-on tools to cut risks for health and the environment while keeping farms productive. From toxicity indicators to crop rotations and groundwater protection, join us to explore solutions for pesticide reduction. Talk in French, drinks after—all welcome! Transition pathways Production systems Vegetable sectorFruit sectorCereals sectorPotato sectorBeetroot sectorMeadows and pasturegovernanceagri-environmentRotationsPesticidesSustainability indicatorsCrop diversificationOrganic farmingEnvironmental footprintPolicy recommendationsWalloniaEurope
Past event Workshop May 26th 2025 Ottignies-Louvain-la-NeuveTransition pathwaysPWRP 3: What transition scenarios could reduce pesticide use and risks in Wallonia?Open workshop discussion on transition scenarios to guide the reduction of pesticide use and associated risks in Walloon agricultural regions and sectors. Transition pathways Production systems Vegetable sectorFruit sectorCereals sectorProtein cropsPotato sectorBeetroot sectorMeadows and pastureLand use planningPesticidesInputsOrganic farmingProspective scenariosParticipatory approachWallonia
Publication of February 2nd 2026 PresentationTransition pathwaysPresentations at Natagriwal’s Scientific Support DayThree members of SYTRA spoke at Natagriwal's annual scientific exchange and support day for advisors, dedicated to the issue of reducing pesticide use and associated risks. Transition pathways Production systems Vegetable sectorFruit sectorCereals sectorProtein cropsPotato sectorBeetroot sectorMeadows and pastureagri-environmentLand use planningRotationsPesticidesInputsCrop diversificationOrganic farmingLeversProspective scenariosWallonia
Past event Conference March 31st 2025 Production systemsProduction and distribution of organic vegetable seeds: Challenges and opportunities for multipliers and seed companiesPresentation of the results of a survey on the production and distribution of vegetable seeds of open-pollinated varieties in Europe. Production systems Vegetable sectorPlant breedingSeedsOrganic farming
Publication of January 28th 2026 Policy briefProduction systemsPolicy brief – Developing the organic vegetable seed sector in WalloniaTwelve recommendations for developing the production and use of regional seeds in organic market gardening in Wallonia, with a view to resilience, technical development, and economic opportunities. Production systems Vegetable sectorPlant breedingSeedsOrganic farmingLeversPolicy recommendationsWalloniaEurope
Publication of December 1st 2025 Research articleTransition pathwaysFive methodological updates of the Danish Pesticide Load Indicator to support EU-wide pesticide risk reduction policiesIn this new scientific article, we propose five methodological updates to the Pesticide Load Indicator (PLI) to support pesticide reduction policies in a transparent, scientifically robust manner, harmonised at the European scale. Transition pathways Vegetable sectorFruit sectorCereals sectorProtein cropsPotato sectorBeetroot sectorPesticidesLeversEnvironmental footprintPolicy recommendationsEurope
Publication of October 10th 2025 PhD thesisTransition pathwaysThree tools for the reduction of pesticide impacts (PhD public defence)The PhD of Noé Vandevoorde presents three hands-on tools to cut risks for health and the environment while keeping farms productive. From toxicity indicators to crop rotations and groundwater protection, it explores solutions for pesticide reduction. Transition pathways Production systems Vegetable sectorFruit sectorCereals sectorProtein cropsPotato sectorBeetroot sectorMeadows and pastureLand use planningLeversPolicy recommendationsWalloniaBelgiumEurope
Publication of September 11th 2025 ReportTransition pathwaysWhat transition pathways should be followed to reduce pesticide use and risks in Wallonia by 2035?This work carried out by Sytra aims to provide the Walloon Region with a new forward-looking and strategic overview to facilitate discussions on the future of the Walloon agricultural sector and potential transition paths towards 2035. Transition pathways Production systems Vegetable sectorFruit sectorCereals sectorProtein cropsPotato sectorBeetroot sectorMeadows and pasturePesticidesInputsSustainability indicatorsCrop diversificationOrganic farmingProspective scenariosParticipatory approachWallonia
Publication of July 1st 2025 CommunicationTransition pathwaysPesticide Load IndicatorVarious indicators are used to measure the impact of pesticides. The indicator we consider most relevant is the ‘Pesticide Load’. This note presents the proposed adjustments to this indicator as part of Noé Vandevoorde's thesis. Transition pathways Production systems Vegetable sectorFruit sectorCereals sectorProtein cropsPotato sectorMeadows and pastureLand use planningPesticidesLeversPolicy recommendationsWalloniaBelgiumEurope
Past event Conference March 10th 2020 Ottignies-Louvain-la-NeuveProduction systemsHow can current farming systems contribute to provide sustainable and local food?How to measure the social and environmental footprint of our food habits? Which are the land use opportunities for more sustainable and local food systems? How can vegetable production at the regional level meet these challenges? Production systems Vegetable sectorProspective scenariosEnvironmental footprint
