Biocontrol essential in agricultural transition, says senior IBMA official

Addressing exhibitors at the Annual Biocontrol Industry Meeting (ABIM 2022), Jennifer Lewis, Executive Director of the International Biocontrol Manufacturers Association (IBMA), stated, ″biocontrol is essential in the transition to sustainable agriculture."

The 17th edition of ABIM was co-organized by IBMA and FiBL and was a space for presentations, discussion panels, networking and negotiations between the 105 exhibitors.

″These nature-based alternatives to chemical pesticides improve biodiversity, soil quality, crop health, and resilience, contributing to sustainable food production,″ she said at the event covered by AgroPages.

Lucius Tamm, Managing Director of ABIM AG and Leader of the Department of Crop Sciences at FiBL Switzerland, further drew attention to biocontrol's role in sustainability.

″Agricultural systems and processes must become more sustainable in the future. Biocontrol delivers crucial solutions and can shape this transformation process to sustainable agriculture successfully. This is why this annual meeting for the biocontrol industry is so important – for the industry itself and the whole of society,″ he highlighted.

The ABIM 2022 program included presentations from the European Commission on the latest policy positions on the new Sustainable Use Regulation and the relevant changes to the registration requirements of biocontrol.

The new policies aim to reduce the dependence on chemical pesticides and facilitate authorization and uptake of non-chemical solutions.

Innovations and successful IPM programs from around the world were presented, highlighting especially the dynamic development of biocontrol in Brazil.

The crucial role and contribution of the food industry to the transformation of agriculture were discussed by value chain experts. Transformation also needs policy support. Examples of enabling policies from leading countries were shared and discussed.

Large crop protection companies were present, as well as startups and new players, who presented numerous innovations to facilitate the transformation toward sustainable agriculture.

New research and technologies were revealed, as well as the latest market opportunities and regulatory challenges worldwide.

More than 1,550 biocontrol industry representatives from 53 countries gathered in Basel, Switzerland, at the industry's premier global meeting.

(Editing by Leonardo Gottems, reporter for AgroPages)