FARM Global Project | Kick-off Meeting in Kenya,  March 12, 2024

The Global Environment Facility (GEF) funded FARM programme is a five-year 37 million USD programme aiming to catalyse a framework for regulatory and financial investment in the agriculture sector to reduce the use of harmful pesticides and plastics in agricultural production and encourage the adoption of low and non-chemical alternatives including biocontrol. With financial incentives […]

Biocontrol solutions included in Renew Europe Action plan for a sustainable, competitive and fairly rewarded EU agriculture

We are delighted to share that the Renew Europe Action Plan for a sustainable, competitive and fairly rewarded EU agriculture includes proposals for biocontrol in line with some IBMA recommendations. The Action Plan proposes several actions in response to farmers protests and issues of concern, both in the short and medium/long term. It is mainly […]

Lengthy Authorisation Processes Threatening Biocontrol Innovations and Farmer Competitiveness

IBMA Calls for Policies that Accelerate the Uptake of Biocontrol Farmers have been slowly reducing the use of chemical pesticides across Europe since 2011 without sufficient access to alternative Plant Protection Products such as biocontrol. This is endangering productivity and generational renewal. Farmers have had enough as we see on the streets of Europe. While […]

High-level Discussion under the Auspices of the Belgian Presidency |  Speed-up Biocontrol Authorisation | Knowledge, Know-how & Biocontrol for Farmers Now

The International Biocontrol Manufacturers Association (IBMA) invited a range of stakeholders to a high-level discussion under the auspices of the Belgian Presidency, on 19 March, to discuss how to speed-up biocontrol authorisation and get biocontrol knowledge, know-how and solutions to farmers now. At the event held under Chatham House Rule, support for biocontrol was expressed, […]

Happy International Women’s Day

If you ate today, thank a woman in agriculture Every year on 8 March we celebrate International Women’s Day highlighting the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. It is a moment to reflect on progress made and on what still needs to happen to forge a more inclusive world for women. Invest in Women […]

The SUR is gone. Biocontrol should be available to farmers now!

Noting the Sustainable Use Regulation (SUR) was a symbol of polarisation, Ursula von der Leyen proposed to withdraw it on 6 February 2024. The SUR is off the table. IBMA now urges the Commission to work on a new proposal. We already issued a statement on the Strategic Dialogue on the Future of Agriculture. (Brussels, 27 […]

Update on the Sustainable Use Regulation from Jennifer Lewis, Executive Director

Dear Member,We are experiencing turbulent times in Brussels and around Europe. Farmers are protesting in record numbers and policymakers are reacting. In a shock moment, Ursula von der Leyen proposed to withdraw the Sustainable Use Regulation (SUR). We expect the College of Commissioners to accept this. IBMA is now urging the Commission to work on a […]

MEP Tolleret Asks Commission Question on Biocontrol

MEP Irène Tolleret, Renew, and other cross-party MEPS, sent a written question to the European Commission on the subject of Biological Pest Control in February 2024. The European Commission is obliged to respond to written questions. Question for written answer to the Commission Following the European Parliament’s rejection of the draft regulation on the sustainable […]