Background The predominant model of crop protection in Europe is based on chemical control of pests, diseases and weeds. This model has high environmental risks. The use of chemical pesticides impacts on fauna and flora beyond the targeted pests. Bad practices in relation to the application of chemicals on crops also increases this negative impact, and leads to contamination of soils and rivers over a wide area. However, despite the risks, the application of pesticides is still the simplest technological solution for crop protection. The lack of farmer awareness of the high degree of environmental risk associated with these products, and the widespread ignorance of the existence and viability of alternative techniques, is also an impediment to change. A European Directive (2009/128/EC) has regulated the use of pesticides, establishing a framework for their sustainable use. In this context, Spain – along with the other EU countries - has drafted a National Action Plan (NAP) for ensuring compliance with the European framework. Implementation, however, remains a challenge. Objectives The LIFEAGROINTEGRA project aims to promote the most innovative tools available for Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in the agricultural sector as a viable alternative to the use of chemical pesticides. To achieve this, it will demonstrate both the efficacy and environmental benefits of the available alternatives and develop practical tools to help farmers to make the transition to IPM. The project will demonstrate the environmental benefits of implementing alternative methods of crop protection, such as the biological and integrated control of plagues and the biological efficacy of low-risk phytosanitary products. It will design and implement IPM models in three different kinds of farm systems: fruit production; vineyards; and extensive cultures – and on both irrigated and rain-fed lands. The project will develop a ‘Crops Guide’ to inform farmers of the most appropriate actions to be applied for different types of pest avoidance. This will be distributed to farmers, but also serve as a ‘live’ document to be updated based on the project experiences. The project will also establish an extensive network of alert points, to warn farmers and help prevent the spread of pests. The team will integrate all the information into a web-based GIS decision-making tool to help farmers decide on the most appropriate pest control methods for each specific situation, pest, disease or weed. The tool will be validated on 200 farms. The project will support this with a protocol of training and advice to help farmers with the transition to IPM. This will be applied to 500 farms during the course of the project. Finally, the project will create a permanent platform to continue promoting and supporting IPM beyond the project. The aim is to increase the number of farmers who work according to the new IPM model by an additional 500 each year. Expected results: Development of the HAD AGROINTEGRA web-based decision-making tool to help farmers identify the method of IPM that will be the most efficient in their particular situation; A protocol of training, advice etc., to help farmers implement IPM; A reduction of at least 30% in the volume of chemical protection used, as compared to the current system; The avoidance of phytosanitary products that pose the greatest risk, thus delivering environmental benefits beyond that suggested by a simple measurement by volume; A contribution to achieving the targets set in the Spanish NAP on the sustainable use of pesticides; A contribution to the implementation of the European Directive (2009/128/CEE) on the sustainable use of pesticides; Dissemination of the project tools to more farms and situations – it is expected that by 2020, 80% of European farmers will have integrated this model and use IPM on their crops; A contribution towards the eventual objective of zero pesticide residue in the food chain.