The Syndicate PRO-SUD is continuing its efforts to develop the communal orchards of the UNESCO Biosphere Minett, as places for exchange and learning about local food and the fight against food waste. This plant and food heritage also offers spaces for the preservation of biodiversity and islands of refreshment in the heart of urban centres.
After the launch of an interactive map in 2022, the communal orchards of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve will be equipped with uniform signage at regional level, explained Georges Mischo, President of the PRO-SUD Syndicate which is responsible for the management of the only biosphere reserve in Luxembourg. This signage will serve to better identify the entrances to the communal orchards, to support the work of the workers in laying the yellow ribbons and to inform the public about the varieties of fruit present in the different orchards of the South.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
© Ville de Dudelange / Ville de Dudelange / PRO-SUD / PRO-SUD / natur & ëmwelt / Sicona
The importance of the “Gielt Band” free picking project, which could be extended to 66 Luxembourg municipalities in 2023, was the subject of Minister of Agriculture, Viticulture and Rural Development Claude Haagen, who also highlighted the initiatives against food waste supported by the Luxembourg government.
Myriam Bentz, representative of the Ministry of Spatial Planning, which financially supported the project, emphasised in her speech that the valorisation of green spaces in urban areas is one of the priorities of the new Master Plan for Spatial Planning (PDAT) of Luxembourg. Orchards can contribute to mitigating the consequences of climate change, as they create areas in the urban space that remain cooler during the summer months. In addition, orchards preserve urban biodiversity and create new opportunities for social exchange between people living close to the orchards. Anouk Boever-Thill, representative of the municipality of Mondercange within the PRO-SUD Committee, spoke about municipal policy in favour of orchards and underlined the importance of the regional project for the development of these green spaces.
Other topics of the press conference were the different functions in the field of biodiversity of the Minett UNESCO Biosphere orchards. These topics were developed during the press conference by the experts Richard Dahlem from natur&ëmwelt, Roger Dammé from the Mouvement Ecologique and Fernand Klopp, Director of the Syndicat SICONA.
Richard Dahlem underlined the importance of orchards in terms of preserving old and local fruit varieties that could be more resilient to disease and climate change. Roger Dammé spoke about the negative impact of various pesticides on pollinator populations and underlined the importance of public orchards as chemical-free refuges for insects. Fernand Klopp presented the Sikona project for the protection and conservation of the Little Owl. The Little Owl, the smallest owl species in Luxembourg, likes to breed in orchards because the well-kept and frequently grazed meadows below the tall trees make it easier for it to hunt its prey.