Lavender is threatened by insects and European legislation

Beatrix Baconnier MARTIN | AFP -

"Lavender Risk" set-aside set blue Sault and Apt (Vaucluse), conspicuous signs of the European regulations, the Jewel Garden threaten to warn? Provencal has been threatened by destructive bacteria.

Bacteria, phytoplasmas is stolbur old, but usually in the middle of the year 2000, when France lost up to 50% is cultivated mainly in the region of Vaucluse and Alpes-de-Haute-Provence Drome played havoc and lavender essential oil producer in the first Place.

Involved "Climate change, drought and high temperatures, favorable for pests and disease vectors lavender insect" Sniper, SAP-sucking insects, says director Eric Chaisse Crieppam (Regional Centre for Experimental and aromatic plants).

If the plants are blocked with SAP stream channels contaminated, leading to his downfall. "The plant dies a few months to two or three years," says Chaisse. "Finding solutions" in Manosque (Alpes-de-Haute-Provence), try sitting, Crieppam, delete "a better understanding of how? Insect vector rises," says Chaisse.

The spraying of products is one of the songs, "Without an efficiency of 100%," added the researchers. Other methods were explored, such as the cultivation of healthy plants or species diversification in order and choose lavender plants, lavender living. "The new varieties helped in the reconstruction of lavender, including the Plateau d'Albion (Vaucluse)" _ Chaisse said.

After years of "catastrophic", 2003, 2007, scientist, drought production fell sharply before 2010 - about 30 tons per year - after 50 tonnes and to increase in 2015.

"The disappearance of the great perfume"

The decline was caused by the last few years, especially as more heavy rain was favorable for the plants to better protect against bacteria. But the situation remains fragile and carefully producer. "If the weather is very dry in July and August is expected to be a disastrous year after year," concluded Mr. Chaisse because "if we are to promote research on the weather conditions, it is not domination."

"The weather plays an important role," says Christophe Castaner AFP, PJ Alpes de Haute-Provence and Forcalquier Maria.

And manufacturers are fighting a new Previous: Classification of lavender oil products "very dangerous". Due to European regulations (REACH) at the end of 2013, one obtained by distillation from the plant essential oil, it is now considered a chemical.

"That makes no sense, the term distillation is possible, is the removal of water vapor" Raymond Agnels tons, yet Apt (Vaucluse) opposed the policy that all products are labeled to enroll the planned actions Logo "toxic" and "dangerous" Lavender.

Directive also requires the facility as a manufacturer of chemicals are treated, tested to evaluate their products.

Ultimately, it is the use of a lavender scent that has been terminated, fears, argues Mr. Agnels that "we in the disappearance of the great perfumes in motion."

Christophe Castaner, which is also true in the fight against the regulation, which would constitute "a threat to the entire industry."

He says: "Lavender is unsuitable because it is not a chemical" and urges Brussels to treat essential oils differently "other products" of chemical molecules. "

The MP, he said "sure we reach a certain rule" was lavender. However, "at this time, has not led," he complains, even though the Minister of Agriculture, Stéphane Le Foll, "he said, was very attentive" to the problem. A petition launched in late 2013 to life, more than 15,000 signatures have been collected professionals.