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Over the past few days, some Moselle winegrowers have expressed concern about the future of the steep slopes and their biodiversity. VDP winegrower Reinhard Löwenstein from Winningen and Angelina and Kilian Franzen from Bremm have publicly opposed plans now announced by the Federal Environment Agency to ban plant protection using helicopters in some vineyard sites on the terraced Moselle. This would affect the Calmont, the steepest vineyard in Europe, the Winninger Uhlen and the Valwiger Herrenberg near Cochem.
The reason: a subspecies of the Apollo butterfly, which is exclusively native to the Moselle, occurs in these terraced and steep slopes. Its population has declined sharply in recent years. A group of butterfly enthusiasts, the "Arbeitsgemeinschaft der Rheinisch-Westfälischen Lepidopterologen (AGL)", claims that the butterfly is only endangered due to helicopter pest control. The association is therefore trying to achieve a ban on helicopter spraying. However, Reinhard Löwenstein explained in a comprehensive statement that there was no evidence of this connection.
According to the Moselle Winegrowers' Association, the causes of the butterfly's decline have not yet been researched. Experts believe that the hot and dry summers and the decline in vineyard areas due to scrub encroachment are possible causes. For years, there have been initiatives on the Moselle to protect the Apollo butterfly and its habitat, which are also intensively supported by winegrowers, explained the Moselle Winegrowers' Association.
A ban on helicopter missions would make viticulture in the affected areas impossible. As a result, slopes would become overgrown, walls would collapse over time and many rare plants, insects and animals would be deprived of their habitat, emphasise winegrowers and the association. This is also a threat to local tourism.
The conditions for plant protection for around 60 hectares of vineyards between Winningen and Bremm for 2024 and subsequent years have not yet been clarified. However, preparations and authorisation procedures must begin in January so that winegrowers can start spraying in May. Time is pressing for a solution, emphasised Dr Maximilian Hendgen, Managing Director of the Moselle Winegrowers' Association.
(ru / press release)