Spain's Radical Plan: 20–30 Day Crop Shutdown to Kill Thrips
Dr. Russell Sharp explores a controversial strategy where entire growing regions pause production for 20–30 days to break pest life cycles — using crop removal, soil solarization and biological controls. He compares past field-crop proposals to recent plans in Almería to tackle thrips and discusses the economic pain, possible aid, and whether coordinated shutdowns could work for other crops.
The episode weighs practical challenges, examples from rapeseed and protected crops, and asks listeners to consider if collective action can realistically eliminate stubborn pests or diseases…
The skinny
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