IBMA and FAO sign Letter of Intent

We are happy to announce that the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the International Biocontrol Manufacturers Association (IBMA) signed a Letter of Intent in November 2024. This marks a significant step in our work to accelerate the uptake of biological control around the world and transition to sustainable agri-food systems to achieve the objectives of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Biocontrol plays a crucial role in the transition to a greener, more resilient agriculture. Both IBMA and FAO have a shared vision of ensuring farmers have access to effective and sustainable tools such as biocontrol which

• support sustainable crop production and diversification to improve people’s nutrition, livelihoods and incomes
• enhance biodiversity and ecosystem services
• contribute to climate change adaptation and resilience

Both organisations have a common will to strengthen efforts to mainstream biological control as a sustainable tool in global crop protection and declare their intention to:

• exchange information and ideas on sustainable crop protection;
• identify gaps and bottlenecks in mainstreaming the use of biological control, be it regulatory, research, production, or field use;
• enhance capacities and pilot other solutions that will facilitate greater adoption of biological control as a sustainable tool in crop protection; and
• promote the use of biological control globally.

“This is a milestone moment for IBMA. It aligns with our aim to ensure farmers have access to innovative biocontrol solutions enabling them to grow productive, profitable crops needed for a food secure future. We also look forward to the opportunities it will bring our members and broader agricultural community”

Jennifer Lewis, Executive Director, IBMA.