2020 EuroNatur Award for tenacious opponents of pesticides

++ This year’s EuroNatur Prize is awarded to the South Tyrol village of Mals ++ Nationally well-known through their campaigning for a ban on pesticides in the fruit-growing region of Vinschgau ++

EuroNatur President Thomas Potthast hands over the EuroNatur Award to Martina Hellrigl from the Delegation of Mals.

© Gerald Jarausch

The citizens of Mals are protesting against the use of pesticides in agriculture.

© Hollawint

Radolfzell, Mainau Island. They are people from very varying professional fields such as hairdressing, pharmacy and organic farming, but they are united by their struggle against the massive use of man-made pesticides in their commune. A four-strong delegation from Mals received the 2020 EuroNatur Award today on the island of Mainau on Lake Constance. This award honours the community for their persistence in fighting against the use of agricultural chemicals that poison our environment.

For almost six years, a large number of the inhabitants of Mals have been standing up for their health and for a biodiverse agriculture – despite huge resistance from the farming lobbies, politicians and the judiciary. Representatives of the so-called “Mals Way” have often been the subject of judicial proceedings. Furthermore, the inhabitants of Mals will still have to argue in court their case for the implementation of their referendum.

In his address, EuroNatur president, Thomas Potthast, highlighted the exemplary character of the inhabitants of Mals: “As a community, the citizens of Mals have exercised their civic rights and have voted in a referendum to reject harmful pesticides and demand an agriculture which is viable for future generations. This is a genuine community decision, making Mals the focus of the debate in a fruit-growing region which uses pesticides so extensively. Furthermore, Mals creates a model for action which many other communities throughout Europe will be able to follow.”


Background information:

  • EuroNatur award: Previous prize winners include Dr. Mario F. Broggi, Jonathan Franzen, Dr. Luc Hoffmann, Gudrun Steinacker and the „brave women of Kruščica“. It is only the second time that a commune has received this award. It is an award without prize money, recognising exceptional achievements in nature conservation which takes account of both people and nature. The 2020 EuroNatur Prize was awarded to a delegation from the village of Mals on Thursday 8th October at 18.00 on the island of Mainau on Lake Constance. The ceremony took place with only a small number of guests because of the pandemic.
  • Pesticide use in South Tyrol: Approximately ten percent of all the apples harvested in the EU are produced on around 18,000 hectares of land in the South Tyrol. The use of artificially produced pesticides is widespread in the Vinschgau region, endangering not only the health of those living locally but also posing a threat to numerous species of flora and fauna, amongst them important pollinators such as bees and butterflies.
  • Further information and photo material can be found in the download pages at www.euronatur.org/en/about-euronatur/press-room/euronatur-award-2020/. From approximately 9.00 on Friday 9th October photos of the award ceremony will also be available.

How you can help

Donation

Future needs nature. EuroNatur cares for it. Please use your possibilities to help. With your donation you will make an effective contribution to a more livable environment.

Sustaining membership

EuroNatur focuses on long-term nature conservation projects instead of quick fixes. With your regular donations, you give us the planning security we need.

News

Skavica mega dam: Albanian court to scrutinise special law for U.S. contractor Bechtel

++ Constitutional complaint filed by NGOs accepted for trial ++ First milestone in fight against one of Europe’s largest reservoirs ++ Thousands of…

Growing opposition to Albanian airport

++ Bern Convention calls on Albania to stop airport construction near Narta Lagoon ++ Project in Vjosa Delta endangers thousands of migratory birds ++…

EU Commission targets the wolf

Ursula von der Leyen warns of allegedly "dangerous wolves" - nature conservation organisations criticise misleading statements and dubious data…

Romanian forests: EuroNatur calls for a logging moratorium

+++ Open letter to Commissioner Sinkevičius calls for a logging moratorium in protected areas to end destruction of Romanian forests +++ Fourth…

Controversial airport construction in Albanian protected area casts shadow as far as Munich

++ Operating company Munich Airport International (MAI) is linked to illegal Vlora airport ++ Construction to take place in protected area of special…

Swimming for the monk seal

The Croatian free water swimmer Dina Levačić has been swimming in potential monk seal territories. Her campaign is aimed at drawing attention to the…

Wolf Offspring confirmed in the Black Forest

++ Photo trap image from the community of Schluchsee provides evidence of offspring ++ First wolf pack in over 150 years in Baden-Württemberg ++

Stork Village meeting in Tykocin, Poland

It was an anniversary celebrated in style: For the 20th annual meeting, representatives of the European Stork Villages met for the first time in the…

A slight sigh of relief for the Dalmatian pelicans

The Dalmatian pelicans at Lake Skadar are breeding successfully. This is all the more gratifying because last year's breeding season was disastrous.