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
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
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
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 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
Publication of April 22nd 2025 ReportTransition pathwaysContextualizing PARCEL-Wallonie Simulations: Perspectives, Tensions, and Case StudiesThis report presents the simulations carried out for the Walloon Region using PARCEL-Wallonie and discusses the tensions related to their implementation. It also illustrates the practical use of the tool through three case studies conducted with actors in Wallonia. Transition pathways Vegetable sectorFruit sectorCereals sectorProtein cropsPotato sectorBeetroot sectorEggs sectorDairy sectorBeef meat sectorPig meat sectorPoultry meat sectorMeadows and pastureEnvironmental footprintWallonia
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
Publication of February 28th 2025 ReportProduction systemsSeeds systems and varietal choices in organic vegetable productionA case study on seed systems in the vegetable organic sector, regarding small-scale farming in the French Alps. This research examines how the economic, technical, educational and social context influences farmers when choosing varieties and seeds. Production systems Vegetable sectorSeedsAgroecologyCrop diversificationOrganic farmingLeversLock-inFrance
Publication of February 25th 2025 ReportFood value chainsIdentification of Good Food Value ChainsSytra has carried out a study identifying key Good Food value chains for the Brussels-Capital Region. Results: Cereals, fruit, vegetables and plant proteins will be the focus of particular activities in strategy the Good Food 2. Food value chains Vegetable sectorFruit sectorCereals sectorProtein cropsPolicy recommendations
Publication of August 1st 2025 ReportProduction systemsOpportunities for the production of seeds in WalloniaThe project Semences d’Ici aims to promote seed production and the adoption of vegetables varieties suitable for the region of Wallonia. The Sytra team focused in particular on the risks and risk management tools used by European seed producers and market gardeners. Production systems Vegetable sectorSeedsInputsInnovationOrganic farmingEconomic performanceParticipatory approachWalloniaBelgium
Publication of October 22nd 2024 ReportTransition pathwaysToward a resilient food supply of Brussels Capital region: possible scenarios based on a barriers analysis and an explorative prospective approachBrussels Food 2050 (BruFo2050), is an explorative prospective research project that gathers two teams: Sytra from UCLouvain and Sfere, from KULeuven. This three-years long project aims at diving into the analysis and understanding of the Brussels food supply system. Transition pathways Food value chains Vegetable sectorCereals sectorPotato sectorDairy sectorBeef meat sectorSustainability indicatorsProspective scenariosLock-inPolicy recommendationsParticipatory approachBelgium
