Death Trap Vineyards

Blue, white, green and black surfaces will be appearing in Swiss vineyards over the coming weeks.

Winegrowers are stretching vineyard nets to protect against bird damage. If these are not installed correctly, they become deadly traps for birds and wildlife. After two years of inspections of vineyard nets in selected areas by SVS/BirdLife Switzerland, the Swiss Animal Protection STS and Pro Igel, it has emerged that some of the nets are correctly installed — but that unfortunately far too many nets are still being stretched incorrectly.

Starlings, blackbirds and song thrushes can cause considerable localised damage in vineyards. It is entirely understandable that winegrowers want to protect their valuable fruit, including with nets. What is less understandable, however, is that so many nets are still not being installed properly. Yet a number of winegrowers demonstrate that it can be done correctly: side nets and tautly stretched nets without holes or loose netting sections on the ground protect the grapes without any deadly side effects.

Vineyards are an important habitat for many bird and animal species that have no interest in the grapes, such as insect-eating birds or hedgehogs. Carelessly installed nets pose a serious danger to birds and hedgehogs, as the animals can easily become entangled in them. In their attempts to free themselves, they become increasingly caught up in the netting, facing the prospect of a long and agonising death. In two monitored areas, more than 20 dead animals were found in poorly installed nets.

Animal welfare organisations therefore urge all winegrowers to install vineyard nets in accordance with the guidelines set out in the Agroscope leaflet “All Tied Up?”. Side nets in particular are far less problematic. Vitiswiss has required its members to comply with the rules of the “All Tied Up?” leaflet for more than 10 years.

This autumn too, selected vineyards will again be inspected for correct net installation. As in previous years following inspections, solutions will be sought together with authorities and wine producers in problematic areas to improve the situation.

Related dossiers and articles:

• Vineyard nets are death traps
• Dossier: Hunting and biodiversity
• Dossier: Hunting and animal welfare
• All articles: Wildlife