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Insights from the IBMA and Copa and Cogeca Event
This week marked a significant moment in the journey towards sustainable agriculture in the European Union. IBMA, the International Biocontrol Manufacturers Association together with Copa and Cogeca presented their 3rd Joint Roadmap at an event hosted by MEP Herbert Dorfmann, EPP, with co-hosts MEP Cristina Guarda, European Greens and MEP Benoît Cassart, Renew Europe. This gathering brought together key stakeholders, including farmers, policymakers, and industry leaders, to discuss the future of biocontrol and its further integration into pest and disease management strategies.
Key Learnings from the Session:
1. Broad Support for Regulatory Amendments:
The proposed regulatory amendments in the joint roadmap received widespread support from the MEPs present. This consensus underscores the urgency of creating a legislative environment that facilitates the commercialisation and adoption of biocontrol solutions.
2. Complementarity in Pest and Disease Control:
Farmers emphasized the importance of complementarity in pest and disease control programs. Biocontrol is an integral part of a holistic IPM approach working with nature. Its different mode of action, often requiring preventative rather than curative application, complements chemical pesticides. It is used stand alone in organic systems but is not a silver bullet and in conventional systems is often used in programmes with chemical pesticides.
3. Benefits of Biocontrol:
The farmer panel highlighted several benefits of incorporating biocontrol into pest management programs:
- Risk management: Biocontrol allows farmers to reserve chemical treatments for emergency situations, keeping them as an insurance and reducing risk to the farmer as well as reducing overall chemical usage.
- Ecosystem Services do the job: By using biocontrol at the start of the programme and maintaining the crop ecosystem, natural processes can often manage potential secondary pests without needing additional pesticide applications.
4. Knowledge Transfer and Demonstration:
Effective knowledge transfer is best achieved through demonstration. Farmers need to witness the performance of biocontrol programs firsthand to appreciate their efficacy. The unique modes of action of biocontrol compared to chemical solutions mean that direct comparisons are not always fair; instead, the focus should be on the overall program performance.
5. Role of Technical Institutes and Independent Advice:
Technical institutes and independent advisors play a crucial role in testing and recommending appropriate biocontrol programs. Farmers with experience in biocontrol stressed the importance of having chemical options available as a safety net during the initial learning phase.
6. Prioritizing Biocontrol and Innovation:
It is essential for Member States to prioritize biocontrol and other innovative pest and disease control methods. This prioritization will support farmers in adopting sustainable practices and contribute to the EU’s environmental and agricultural goals.
MEP Perspectives:
MEP Herbert Dorfmann noted, “Biocontrols are essential tools for the future of the agricultural sector in Europe. However, clear legislative input and a decisive improvement in the conditions for commercialising these products are necessary to develop their full potential for our farmers.”
MEP Cristina Guarda added, “A key step in building the food system of the future is to accelerate the approval of biocontrol solutions. Today, it can take up to ten years for a new product to reach the market. If we are serious about moving away from chemical pesticides, farmers must have access to safe, effective and sustainable alternatives. This is precisely the sense of our work as Greens on the INI report in Parliament, and of course we expect the Commission’s forthcoming proposal to make biocontrol a real priority for Europe’s farmers and citizens.’’
MEP Cassart added “Biocontrols should be part of a broad toolbox for our farmers. By accelerating authorisation process, simplifying rules especially for SMEs, and fostering investment in Europe, we can boost competitiveness, resilience and sustainability of European agriculture while giving farmers the innovative solutions they need to address the multiple challenges they are currently facing.’’
Conclusion:
The event highlighted the critical role of biocontrol in shaping the future of sustainable productive agriculture. By fostering innovation, improving regulatory frameworks, and ensuring access to effective pest control solutions, we can empower farmers to tackle pest challenges while protecting the environment. The joint roadmap presented by IBMA together with Copa and Cogeca is a significant step towards achieving these goals, and the broad support it received is a testament to the shared commitment to a sustainable agricultural future.
Link to the roadmap
