Spotlight on biocontrol at Commissioner-designate Hansen’s hearing

Christophe Hansen, Commissioner-designate for Agriculture and Food expressed support for biocontrol during his hearing.

In his introductory statement Hansen mentioned the importance of strengthening competitiveness of the entire food value chain via investment in Research & Investment and supporting on-farm deployment of cutting-edge technologies (such as precision fermentation and biocontrol) and that the CAP is the frame that holds this Vision together.

Hansen expressed support for biocontrol three times, indicating his commitment to accelerating its authorization process and ensuring farmers have access to alternative solutions.

He noted:

1. The need to be able to deliver faster alternatives because if farmers lose crops, then alternatives are needed.
2. The importance of speeding up the authorization procedure for biocontrol together with relevant colleagues.
3. The need to speed up access to alternatives before products are taken off the market and support innovation.

Referring to the Vision for Food and Agriculture, he intends to build on the Strategic Dialogue report, which contains recommendations for biocontrol. He wants to establish a Board on agri-food, as indicated in the Strategic Dialogue, and collaborate with Commissioners close to the agri-food cluster, as well as with the European Parliament. The Vision will consider a plurality of views from the whole agri-food chain and be a “shared roadmap for future initiatives and not a top-down take-it-or-leave-it blueprint.”

A starting point of the Vision will be how to attract a future generation of young farmers. The Vision will look at how farming can be “economically viable, environmentally sustainable, and socially responsible.”

IBMA’s Reaction

We greet Hansen’s willingness to accelerate the use of biocontrol together with other Commissioners. Hansen stated that he intends to be a “boots-on-the-ground” commissioner, and ”use every opportunity to visit farms and farmers in Member States.”

We therefore invite him and his team to join the IBMA field trip in 2025 so he can see first hand how effective biocontrol is and hear why farmers want a wider variety of biocontrol in their toolbox.